Assisted Living near Cape Cod, MA

Assisted Living in Cape Cod, Massachusetts

What Is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is one kind of senior care that provides residents support with activities of daily living (ADLs). Residents in assisted living can expect to receive support with ADLs that include bathing, dressing, medication management, meals and more. Not to be confused with a skilled nursing community where residents receive nursing services around the clock, residents in assisted living routinely have access to staff 24 hours a day while likewise enjoying engaging activities and a solid sense of community. Occasionally, assisted living facilities offer support for seniors with particular medical requirements such as cognitive impairment from Alzheimer’s disease or a related type of dementia, diabetes, or incontinence care.

Deciding what type of senior care you or your loved one needs is a complicated decision. To be certain you are choosing the proper level of care, consult with a medical professional. You may also call our Senior Living Advisors who are ready to answer any of your queries and help you discover a senior care community that meets your preferences.

What Services Are Available?

Amenities and assistance offered in assisted living can vary greatly in each facility. Generally, most communities provide a range of accommodation styles, meal plans, transportation, and more.

Other services often found in assisted living include:

• Medical services
• Physical and rehabilitation therapies on-site and off-site
• Activities and entertainment calendar
• Exercise and nutrition courses
• Housekeeping services
• Medication management
• Transportation services

How can I Tour Assisted Living Facilities?

It is highly recommended that you tour multiple assisted living communities before choosing the best one suitable for you or your family member. Touring multiple facilities will help you discover what options can be found, what your own choices are, and will ultimately help you make a decision. Call or contact A Place for Mom and we'll help you set up a tour at your desired community.

Here are a few of the important questions you'll want to be prepared to ask throughout your tour:

• Are the current people friendly and cheerful?
• Are there services not included in the monthly bill? If so, what are they and how much can they cost?
• Is a nurse usually available night and day?
• Is an initial assessment required before entry?
• Is there a waitlist? If so, how long might it be before you can move in?
• Is there a courtyard or patio for people to enjoy space outside?
• What are your apartment accommodation alternatives?
• What are your billing and payment guidelines and procedures?
• What does the exterior of the community look like? Is it neat and nice looking?
• What's the staff-to-resident ratio? Are the staff engaged? Nice?
• What is your discharge plan?
• What's your prescription administration guideline?
• What sort of knowledge and schooling do your associates 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 a significant role in paying for some senior care.

But, it is vital to comprehend what Medicare will pay for and what it will 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 main parts:

1. Part A, Hospital Insurance: This helps 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 helps pay for services provided by doctors and additional healthcare providers, outpatient care, many preventive care services, durable medical equipment, and some home health care expenses.
3. Part C, Medicare Advantage: These plans can be found in many areas. People who have Medicare Parts A and B can choose to receive all their healthcare services, including Part D prescription drugs if a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan (MAPD) is selected, through among 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 need short-term skilled care for an illness or personal injury and you meet certain conditions. To find out 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 usage of its assisted living facility data through it's Executive Office of Elder Affairs website. Available data includes licensed assisted living communities that are updated frequently, and information about assisted living licensing and violations.

In the state of Massachusetts, assisted living facilities are required by law 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 supervision with bathing, dressing, and mobility to all residents who have these activities within their service plan
• Provide each resident with a written service plan that includes a doctor’s assessment and evaluation

How Do I Choose the best Assisted Living Community?

Choosing the assisted living facility that's right for you as well as your family member is definitely one of the most crucial decisions you may make. Throughout your visit, consider the caliber of care that a loved one may receive. The decision of “if, when and where to move” resides solely with you as well as your family, so think about what factors are actually important to you. You can also read through a few of the 531 reviews about communities in the greater Cape Cod area. Here are some things to consider:

• Activities: It’s a good idea to try and schedule your tour in conjunction with facility activities. Ask the manager when you can view the activities as well as participate. Are the activities and events well attended? Does the staff seem to be having fun with the activity as well? Have a look at the facility calendar of get-togethers. Do they match your loved one’s likes and dislikes? Do the activities and occasions vary in size and type? Do they include outings and trips from the community? If it is important to you and your family, don’t forget to check out religious services.
• Cleanliness: Will the community feel clean and healthy? Be sure to look past the furnishings and into baseboards, crevices, and windows. Ask how often housekeeping is included in the personal living space. Be sure you get full details on the types of routine service provided and the expected response times. Don’t forget to ask about laundry procedures. Gather specifics on what is available and at what price.
• Friendliness: The frame of mind and friendliness of the personnel are of the utmost importance. Make sure that you observe countless workers interacting with current people. Do they listen and make eye contact? Make sure to receive a good knowledge of the staffing structure. How many people are actually involved with residents’ care? Make sure you obtain an introduction to the management team. This can help you understand the goals of the community. It's important that you have confidence in the property’s personnel.
• Meals: As with the majority of us, the dining room experience is very important to seniors. When going to facilities, it is important to discuss entree choices and learn about dining hours, options, and procedures. Make sure you and your family member try a meal at facility. It's not only the best way to sample the cuisine, but it’s an excellent chance to meet other people. Make sure to discuss what happens if a resident is not able to make it to the dining room for meals.
• Reputation: Ask folks and families, past and present, for his or her honest opinions about the facility. Many facilities have a resident council that will be happy to answer any of your questions.
• Security and safety: Security and safety features are very important and offer reassurance for the caregiver. Make sure that bathrooms are accessible and have grab bars in convenient locations. Ask how residents get in touch with the staff if they have an emergency in their living area. Find out about other safety features available in living quarters and through the entire facility. Be sure to learn about staffing schedules to determine who is on-site continuously to assist residents. Are there registered nurses on-site? How do staffing patterns differ at night? How does the community assist or manage residents’ medication requests?
• Trust your gut: When you are touring, make sure you think about yourself or your loved one actually living at facility. Can you imagine your loved one feeling contented? Do you feel at ease? Are the staff and residents amenable, welcoming and friendly?

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Cape Cod, MA?

The average cost of assisted living in the state of Massachusetts in 2018 was $5,495 per month while the average monthly cost for Cape Cod ranges from $1500 to $13542 monthly. Costs for assisted living facilities can vary widely depending on amenities, location, and services, so if the cost is an issue consider looking at nearby suburbs and towns might offer you more overall flexibility in your 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 transfer to assisted living and it is the only cost index of its kind.

How to Finance Assisted Living

Many families experience sticker shock when beginning their search for senior living. How to finance senior care can be an obstacle for care. Many families finance a move to assisted living through the sale of a home or personal savings, but for some people, this might not be a choice.

Here are three other options that will assist you pay for assisted living:

1. Life Insurance Policies: If the senior moving into assisted living has a life insurance policy, you may be able to liquidate the policy and receive funds immediately to cover senior care costs. Different restrictions and regulations apply based on the kind of insurance plan you have, so contact a economic advisor or eldercare legal professional to discover more about your options.
2. Reverse Mortgages: For senior couples who may have different care needs, a reverse mortgage can be a good approach for one person to move into assisted living while another remains at home. A reverse mortgage allows property owners 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 discover a reverse mortgage counseling agency in your area or contact the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development.
3. Veterans Benefits: Many veterans are unaware 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 have to be at least 65 years old and have served at least 3 months of active duty, with at least one day during what the Veterans Administration considers ‘active wartime periods’. Qualifying widows and widowers of veterans can also be able to receive benefits. With the current average age of U.S. veterans at 64 years old, it’s worth it to find out if your family member may be eligible for benefits. To find out about benefits for veterans, see contact the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Affairs or check out www.va.gov.

For more ideas about how exactly to finance your move to senior living, call A Place for Mom to speak to a Senior Living Advisor today.

Five Questions to Ask When Touring an Assisted Living Facility

There’s no question that choosing an assisted living community are generally overwhelming. But, considering these five essential things when thinking about making the move to assisted living can help you make a better-educated decision:

1. How many staff are on hand to assist during the night? Some assisted living facilities provide nursing staff night and day, while others may have more generalized help on hand after hours. It is not 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 in advance! Popular facilities can fill fast. If the one you like is not available, enquire about the waitlist and what the facility’s policy is for handling it. Many facilities will ask for a deposit and some communities have internal lists for special health care needs.
3. Is there an outdoor space? Going to assisted living will not mean you or your loved one needs to give up a beloved back garden or patio space. If the ability to access a gardening area, a patio or a courtyard is very important to your loved one, search for a community that offers residents that space. Various larger assisted living communities provide a range of yards, with features such as jogging paths, gardens and BBQ places for community celebration.
4. What's 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 1 personal care assistant for every 23 residents. Staffing can vary widely depending on the size of the facility, so make certain to ask about the facilities you would like. Ultimately, you want to find out if this community can provide your loved one with the help and support they want?
5. What services are as part of the monthly charge? Understand what is usually included in the standard fee structure and what might incur additional cost before signing any contract. Some communities use a fee-for-service model, or a la carte prices, which means they charge a monthly fee for rent and meals but additional costs for things like medication management. Others could use a tiered cost model where different levels of services are charged different fees. Eldercare lawyers can review these contracts and assist you to with any discrepancies.

Email us for more information regarding what to search for when visiting an assisted living community.

What Else Should I Consider Think about choosing a Facility?

There’s no shortage of senior care options in Cape Cod - this is why we have Senior Living Advisors prepared to help. They are experts in helping match seniors to the communities that will be the best fit for his or her budget, care necessities, and personality.

Here are a few things to remember during your search:

• Focus on current circumstances. What does your loved one need now? Do they need help bathing and dressing? Do they have special needs like limited ability to see or special diets? Take into account the here and now, not what may have been their decision ten or 15 years ago.
• When possible, tour at least three communities. Focus on scheduled tours and consider having meals with the residents. If none of them seem like a good match, ask your Senior Living Advisor for more options and don’t hesitate to ask questions and take down notes while you’re there.
• See the Community through your loved one’s eyes - not your own. It is easy to be swayed by the amenities and features you might decide for yourself, but ultimately it comes down to what will work best for your loved one. Would they benefit from the benefits of a larger facility or become more comfortable in a small, more intimate environment?

The process of selecting the most appropriate assisted living facility can be overwhelming, but we are here to help you navigate your senior care search.

Contact A Place for Mom today - we are able to help relieve your stress and anxiety while saving you money and time, ultimately finding a location that meets your budget and care necessities.

What Is Senior Living Like in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts is a lovely state with a rich history. Senior living residents in Massachusetts enjoy having access to big city comforts while as well as enjoying picturesque East Coast charm. The state has four distinct seasons, boasting beautiful fall foliage, scenic winter landscapes, bright spring flowers, and hot summertime days to be enjoyed at the state’s shoreline.

When considering choosing senior living in Cape Cod, MA, there are numerous things to consider, from the level of care and support to life style, location and more. Massachusetts has many choices available so you're able to make a confident and informed decision for your loved ones.