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Assisted Living in Boston, Massachusetts

What Is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is one kind of senior care that delivers residents support with activities of daily living (ADLs). Residents in assisted living can expect to receive support with ADLs that involve bathing, dressing, medication management, meals and more. Not to be confused with a skilled nursing community where residents receive nursing services night and day, residents in assisted living routinely have access to staff 24 hours a day while also enjoying engaging activities and a strong sense of community. In some cases, assisted living communities have support for seniors with particular medical requirements such as cognitive impairment from Alzheimer s disease or a related form of dementia, diabetes, or incontinence care.

Deciding which kind of senior care you or your family member needs is a difficult decision. To make certain you are selecting the proper level of care, consult with a medical professionall. You may also call our Senior Living Advisors who are standing by to answer all of your inquiries and help you choose a senior care community that meets your needs.

What Services Are Available?

Amenities and solutions offered in assisted living may differ greatly in each community. Generally, most communities provide a range of housing types, meal plans, transportation, and more.

Other amenities often found in assisted living include:

• Medical services
• Physical and rehabilitation therapies on-site and off-site
• Activities and entertainment calendar
• Fitness and nutrition programs
• Housekeeping services
• Medication administration
• Transportation services

How Do I Tour Assisted Living communities?

It is highly recommended that you tour multiple assisted living communities before choosing the best one for you or your loved one. Touring several communities can help you discover what options can be found, what your own choices are, and will ultimately help you make a decision. Contact or contact A Place for Mom and we’ll help you setup a tour at your preferred community.

Here are some of the top questions you’ll want to be prepared to ask throughout your tour:

• Are the current people friendly and cheerful?
• Are there any services not included in the monthly price? If so, what exactly are they and how much can they cost?
• Is a nurse generally available around the clock?
• Is an initial evaluation required before admission?
• Is there a waitlist? If so, how long will it be before you can move in?
• Is there a courtyard or patio for people to enjoy space outdoors?
• What are your unit accommodation choices?
• What exactly are your billing and payment guidelines and procedures?
• What does the exterior of the community look like? Is it neat and nice looking?
• What is the staff-to-resident ratio? Are the staff interested? Nice?
• What is your discharge policy?
• What’s your prescription administration guideline?
• What sort of knowledge and schooling do your staff possess?

Will Medicare Pay for Assisted Living?

As the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities and people with End-Stage Renal Disease, Medicare can play an essential role in paying for some senior care.

But, it is necessary to understand what Medicare can pay for and what it does not. If the beneficiary has been in the hospital for at least three days, Medicare will cover short-term skilled nursing care related to hospitalization for 100 days, if your doctor recommends it.

Medicare has four primary parts:

1. Part A, Hospital Insurance: This can help pay for inpatient care in a hospital or skilled nursing community (following a hospital stay), home health care and hospice care.
2. Part B, Medical Insurance: This can help pay for services supplied by doctors and various other healthcare providers, outpatient care, many preventive care services, durable medical equipment, plus some home health care expenses.
3. Part C, Medicare Advantage: These plans are available in many areas. People who have Medicare Parts A and B can choose to receive all of their health care services, including Part D prescription drugs if a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan (MAPD) is selected, through one of these provider organizations under Part C.
4. Part D, Prescription Drug Coverage: This can help pay for prescription drugs.

Medicare covers medically necessary skilled care at a nursing home only when you will need short-term skilled care for an illness or injury and you meet certain conditions. To find out more about Medicare benefits, download A Place for Mom s Medicare Resource Guide.

How Can I See Assisted Living Inspections and Ratings in Massachusetts?

The state of Massachusetts offers great access to its assisted living community data through it’s Executive Office of Elder Affairs website. Obtainable data includes licensed assisted living communities that are updated frequently, and info on assisted living licensing and violations.

In the state of Massachusetts, assisted living communities are required for legal reasons to:

• Provide enough staff to look after residents, but aren’t required to have a nurse on staff 24 hours per day
• Provide assistance and oversight with bathing, dressing, and mobility to all or any residents that have these activities in their service plan
• Provide each resident with a written service plan that includes a doctor s evaluation and evaluation

How Do I Choose the best Assisted Living Community?

Choosing the assisted living community that is right for you and your family member is usually one of the most crucial decisions you can make. Throughout your visit, consider the caliber of care that a family member may receive. The decision of when and where to move resides solely with you as well as your family, so consider what factors are actually important to you. Also you can read through a few of the 144 testimonials about communities in the greater Boston region. Here are some things to consider:

• Activities: It s a good idea to try to schedule your tour in conjunction with community activities. Ask the manager when you can see the activities and even participate. Are the activities and get-togethers well attended? Does the staff seem to be to be enjoying the experience as well? Take a look at the community calendar of get-togethers. Do they meet your loved one’s hobbies? Do the activities and occasions vary in size and type? Do they incorporate outings and trips from the community? If it’s important to your household, don’t forget to ask about religious services.
• Cleanliness: Will the community feel clean and fresh? Make sure to look past the furnishings and into baseboards, crevices, and windows. Ask how frequently housekeeping is included in the non-public living space. Be sure to get total details on the types of repair provided and the expected response times. Don t forget to enquire about laundry procedures. Gather specifics on what is available and at what price.
• Friendliness: The attitude and friendliness of the personnel are of the utmost importance. Ensure that you observe several workers interacting with current residents. Do they listen and make eye contact? Be sure to get a good knowledge of the staffing pattern. Just how many people are actually involved with residents care? Make sure you get an introduction to the management group. This will help you understand the goals of the facility. It’s important that you have confidence in the property staff.
• Meals: As with almost all of us, the dining area experience is important to seniors. When visiting communities, it is important to discuss entree choices and find out about dining hours, options, and procedures. Make sure you and your family member try a meal at community. Not only is it a terrific way to sample the cuisine, but it s an excellent chance to meet other residents. Make sure to discuss what goes on if a resident is not able to make it to the dining area for meals.
• Reputation: Ask residents and family members, past and present, for their honest thoughts about the community. Various communities include a resident council that’ll be happy to answer all of your questions.
• Security and safety: Safety and security features are incredibly important and offer reassurance for the caregiver. Make sure that bathrooms are easy to get to and have grab bars in convenient locations. Ask how residents contact the staff if they have a crisis within their living area. Find out about other basic safety features available in living quarters and through the entire community. Be sure to find out about staffing routines to determine who’s on-site usually to help residents. Are there registered nurses on-site? How do staffing routines differ at night? How does community assist or manage residents medication requirements?
• Trust your gut: As you are visiting, make sure you think about yourself or your family member actually living at the community. Can you imagine your family member feeling contented? Do you feel at ease? Are the staff and residents receptive, welcoming and friendly?

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Boston, MA?

The average cost of assisted living in the state of Massachusetts in 2018 was $5,495 per month although the average monthly cost for Boston ranges from $0 to $0 per month. Charges for assisted living communities may differ widely based on amenities, neighborhood, and services, therefore if the cost can be an issue consider looking into close by areas and towns might offer you more overall flexibility in your spending budget.

To find out more on assisted living costs, visit A Place for Mom s Senior Living Cost Planner, based on the actual prices families pay when they move into assisted living and it is the only cost index of its kind.

How to Finance Assisted Living

Many families encounter sticker shock when beginning their search for senior living. How exactly to pay for senior care can be an obstacle for care. Many families fund a move to assisted living through the sale of a home or personal savings, but for some persons, this may not be a choice.

Listed below are three other options that will assist you finance assisted living:

1. Life Insurance Policies: If the senior getting into assisted living has a life insurance policy, you might be able to liquidate the policy and receive funds today to cover senior care costs. Different restrictions and regulations apply depending on the kind of insurance plan you have, so call a economic advisor or eldercare legal professionall to learn more about your alternatives.
2. Reverse Mortgages: For senior couples who may have different care needs, a reverse mortgage could be a good way for one person to move into assisted living while another remains at home. A reverse mortgage allows homeowners aged 62 or older to borrow on their home equity. To find out more, call the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to look for a reverse mortgage counseling agency near you or contact the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development.
3. Veterans Benefits: Various veterans are unaware that they are qualified to receive senior care benefits. The Veterans Aid and Attendance benefit has helped a large number of families afford assisted living. To qualify, veterans are required to be at least 65 years old and have served at least 3 months of active duty, with at least 1 day during what the Veterans Administration considers ‘‚¬Ëœactive wartime periods . Qualifying widows and widowers of veterans may also be able to receive benefits. With the existing average age of U.S. veterans at 64 years old, it s worth it to discover if your loved one may qualify for benefits. To find out more about benefits for veterans, see contact the Massachusetts Department of Veterans Affairs or check out www.va.gov.

For additional ideas about how precisely to finance your move to senior living, contact A Place for Mom to talk to a Senior Living Advisor today.

5 Questions to Ask When Touring an Assisted Living Community

There s no question that choosing an assisted living community is often overwhelming. However, considering these five things when considering making the move to assisted living will help you make a better-educated decision:

1. How many staff are on hand to assist at night? Some assisted living communities provide nursing staff night and day, while others may have more generalized help on hand after hours. It isn’t required that around the clock care be made available in assisted living in Massachusetts.
2. Will there be a waitlist? Here is where doing all your homework can seriously pay off – plan ahead of time! Sought after communities can fill fast. If the one you like is not available, enquire about the waitlist and what the community s guideline is for managing it. Many communities will ask for a deposit and some communities have internal lists for special care needs.
3. Will there be a patio space? Moving to assisted living does not mean you or your family member needs to give up a beloved lawn or patio space. If accessing a gardening area, a patio or a courtyard is definitely important for your loved one, visit a community which offers residents that space. Many larger assisted living communities offer a range of yards, with features such as walking paths, gardens and BBQ spaces for community celebration.
4. What is the staff-to-resident ratio? According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 25% of assisted living communities have a ratio of one personal care associate for every 23 residents. Staffing may differ widely depending on the size of the community, so make certain to enquire about the communities you would like. Ultimately, you want to understand if this community will give you your loved one with the help and support they need?
5. What services are as part of the monthly price? Understand what is going to be included in the standard fee arrangement and what might incur additional cost before signing any agreement. Some communities use a fee-for-service model, or a la carte pricing, which means they bill a monthly fee for rent and meals but additional charges for things such as medication management. Others could use a tiered cost model where different levels of care are charged different fees. Eldercare attorneys can review these agreements and help you with any discrepancies.

Contact us for more info on what to look for when visiting an assisted living community.

What Else Should I Consider When Choosing a community?

There s no shortage of senior care options in Boston – this is why we have Senior Living Advisors ready to help. They are experts in helping match seniors to the communities that will be the best fit for their budget, care requirements, and personality.

Here are some things to remember during your search:

• Concentrate on current circumstances. What will your family member need now? Do they need support bathing and dressing? Do they have special needs like limited vision or special diets? Think about the here and today, not what may have been their choice ten or 15 years back.
• When possible, tour at least three communities. Focus on scheduled tours and consider having a meal with the residents. If none of them seem like a good fit, ask your Senior Living Advisor for more options and don t hesitate to ask questions and take notes while you re there.
• See the community through your family member s lens – not your own. It is easy to be swayed by the amenities and features you may choose for yourself, but eventually it comes down to what will work best for your loved one. Would they benefit from the benefits of a bigger community or become more comfortable in a smaller, more intimate environment?

The process of deciding on the best assisted living community is often confusing, but we are here to assist you navigate your senior care search.

Phone A Place for Mom today – we are able to help relieve your stress and anxiety while helping you save money and time, ultimately finding a place that meets your budget and care requirements.

What Is Senior Living Like in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts is a beautiful state with a wealthy history. Senior living residents in Massachusetts enjoy having access to big city comforts while also enjoying picturesque East Coast charm. The state has four distinct seasons, boasting gorgeous fall foliage, scenic winter landscapes, bright springtime flowers, and hot summer time days to be enjoyed at the state s shoreline.

When considering choosing senior living in Boston, MA, there are many things to consider, from the amount of health care and support to quality of life, location and more. Massachusetts has many choices available so that you can make a confident and educated decision for your family.