Assisted Living near Port St. Lucie, FL

Assisted Living in Port St Lucie, Florida

What Is Assisted Living?

Assisted living communities provide lodging and care to seniors who want some assistance with daily tasks such as taking medicines, preparing meals and other personal care needs. Assisted living communities can be found in all shapes and sizes, so touring them is the most effective way to figure out which one is most beneficial for you or your loved one.

What Services Are Available in Assisted Living?

No one assisted living community is like another. At the very least, assisted living provides independently minded seniors living accommodations, meals, help with things such as showering and dressing as well as a wide range of activities such as for example wellness programs, social occasions, excursions and much more, all in a safe and secure environment with their friends.

No one assisted living community is like another. At the very least, assisted living provides independently minded seniors living accommodations, meals, help with things such as showering and dressing as well as a wide range of activities such as for example wellness programs, social occasions, excursions and much more, all in a safe and secure environment with their friends.

Assisted Living Vs. Nursing Homes

The concept of '‚¬Assisted Living was initially used in the 1980s to describe a new kind of residential living for senior individuals that was significantly unlike more common nursing home models. Assisted living is made for people who want some help with some daily activities but who still desire a specific level of autonomy and who wish to reside in an apartment-like set up such as a studio or a one-bedroom apartment. Many assisted living communities provide a complete calendar of activities and events and provide multiple meal choices to accommodate different tastes and needs, including restaurant-style options. Small pets tend to be allowed.

In comparison, the sign of nursing homes is that they provide skilled nursing care. They are made to meet the needs of seniors and others who have medical types of conditions that require 24x7 medical attention. Meals or snacks are generally served in a common eating hall and residents live in personal or shared bedrooms. Some nursing homes also give short-term rehabilitative treatment. Nursing homes today are also called convalescent treatment centers, nursing centers, experienced nursing services and long-term care communities. Because they offer more support, nursing homes are more expensive than assisted living communities.

Both skilled nursing and assisted living communities may include memory care, which is specialized support for individuals living with cognitive loss. In fact, 40% of the individuals who live in assisted living in the state of Florida are currently living with some type of Alzheimer's, based on the National Center for Assisted Living. In general, people living with the earlier stages of Alzheimer s or dementia are best served by assisted living communities while people coping with later levels of dementia or Alzheimer's require the medical care of a nursing home.

What Is Assisted Living Like?

While every community is different, here are some characteristics that a lot of assisted living communities have in common:

• They provide different levels of care, sometimes at varied price points.
• They offer different living options, from studios to one-bedroom apartments.
• Many allow people to bring their personal pets, including birds, cats and in some instances smaller dogs.
• They focus on different backgrounds, cultures and interests. Some communities, for instance, are faith-based, while some are multilingual, with activities and cuisine choices to match. Some are made for retired military veterans or university alumni and so are located on or near bases and campuses.
• They may offer communities for partners in addition to individuals.
• They range in size. Some communities have as few as 20 occupants, while others many have more than 200.

With so many choices to choose from, finding the right place can become overwhelming. Our Senior Living Advisors can help you. They reside in the states and cities they work in. When you talk with a Senior Living Advisor, she or he will ask a few questions to better find out what you are looking for, what your budget is and what special needs your family member may have. On top of that their guidance is free!

When Is It Time to Consider Assisted Living?

When you are asking this question, it s likely that that it s time you learn more about senior living. Here are a few other indications that assisted living may be correct for both your loved one and you.

• You are concerned for your loved family member's basic safety.
• You are concerned they aren't eating correctly.
• You are concerned about them going out of the house alone.
• You see they are spending less time with family and friends.
• You get a phone call or message from a friend who's concerned about them.
• You discover that your family member may have trouble remembering people s names or using a known technology like their phone or TV remote control.

If these or other indicators are worrying you, take action. Contact A Place for Mom and talk to a Senior Living Advisor today. They can answer your questions and help you find out next steps. On top of that, their expertise is free!

Assisted Living Inspections and Ratings

Florida provides families with exceptional access to its assisted living inspection and ratings information. Determined by our state-by-state review of state records, Florida s assisted living regulation and inspection system is among the most transparent in the country. To find the records of an assisted living community in the wider Port St Lucie area, visit the FloridaHealthFinder.gov site and search by service type to obtain inspection reviews, licensure data, fines and activities assessed against the community, accessibility to nursing staff, an emergency plan overview and more.

The state of Florida requires that new assisted living occupants have a medical examination within thirty days of move-in to determine an customized care plan. The state also requires a minimum number of weekly employee hours based upon the number of individuals who live in a community to ensure care plans will be accommodated.

10 Things to Look For When Touring an Assisted Living community

The best way to figure out if an assisted living community is best for your family member is to go to a community -- or better yet, four or five of them! Below are a few points to take note of when you tour:

1. Does the staff interact with the residents?
2. Is the home clean, odor free and well looked after?
3. Is there a procedure in place for assessing the needs of a new resident?
4. Can residents request transportation if they require it?
5. Are the staff professional and polite?
6. Are there specific visiting hours or are family and friends welcome at any time?
7. Does each resident have a care plan set up?
8. What happens if a resident s requirements change?
9. Is there an emergency plan in place in the event of a natural or manmade disaster?
10. Do the individuals who live there remind you of your loved one?

For more tips about what to look for while visiting an assisted living community, download the Assisted Living Residence Checklist.

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Port St Lucie, Florida?

According to the A Place for Mom Senior Living Cost Index, assisted living in the city of Port St Lucie, Florida ranges from $1500 to $6800 per month.

The Senior Living Cost Index is determined by just what A Place for Mom clients paid when they moved to senior living. It's the only price data source of its kind. By giving these details, families can understand how much they could save in varied parts of a specific metropolitan area or even a bordering city.

Ready to learn more? Go to the Senior Living Cost Index interactive map to discover what costs are in the area.

How to Pay for Senior Living In Port St Lucie, FL

How to pay for assisted living is among the most common questions families have when they meet with one of our Senior Living Advisors. Here are a few of the most common funding sources for senior living:

• Personal income or savings. If a senior does not have enough money saved to pay for long-term care, it s common for family members to pool money to make up the difference.
• Home equity. Many times, seniors sell their home to pay for senior living. In some instances, a bridge loan may be available to help cover the price of moving while the home is prepared for sale.
• Long-term care insurance. This special kind of insurance is designed to finance senior care expenditures. Some guidelines may cover other expenditures which can be accrued during the transition to assisted living, for example hiring a case manager or treatment coordinator.
• Veterans benefits. Many seniors have served in the military and may be eligible for support. Because benefits move unused, so it s worth it to check to find out if your family member or his/ her partner might qualify. To learn more, head to va.gov or download our Information to VA Benefits and Long-Term Care for additional information.
• Sale of a life insurance policy. There are several ways to use life insurance to pay for senior living depending on the kind of policy you hold. Consult with a life insurance or economic advisor to understand about whether this option might function for your position.

Many family members believe that Medicare will help pay for assisted living, however it only covers short-term care. To find out more, head to medicare.gov.

Understanding Assisted Living Costs

Assisted living costs vary widely from community to community, it pays to carry out your research. Here are a few reasons that may impact how much you pay:

• Type of residence
• Size of unit (studio, one- or two-bedroom unit)
• Types of solutions required
• Geographical area
• Precise location of the community
• Level of extravagant amenities

Assisted living communities often charge a flat amount that addresses many basic services, with additional costs added for special services. Other communities will charge a fee for each service, referred to as a la carte payment, to ensure that residents only pay for the services they make use of. Ordinarily, the monthly basic rate covers only lease and meals, with care charged separately. Entrance charges and deposits are also frequently required. Fees and prices vary by community, so it s essential to ask communities you are visiting about their costs and options.

For more information regarding assisted living costs and charge structures, contact a Senior Living Advisor at A Place for Mom.

About Senior Living in Port St Lucie, Florida

With its low tax prices and tropical climate, the state of Florida is among one of the most well-known places in the United States for seniors. The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida offers an abundance of resources for seniors and their families.