Assisted Living near Knoxville, TN

Assisted Living Near Knoxville, TN

What Is Assisted Living?

While there are different kinds of long-term care, assisted living is designed to promote independence for older adults while providing them assistance when and how they need it throughout their daily lives. At the basic level, these communities provide housing, meals, social activities, personal care assistance, housecleaning and transportation. Some facilities are designed with the understanding that an individual’s care needs may change and provide more complex services.

What Services Are Available?

Maintaining autonomy and dignity are at the heart of assisted living. Although your loved one may need assistance, they still deserve to live an active life. These communities provide a range of services to keep older adults engage and comfortable in their new home. Although services may vary, many communities offer the following:

• Private single or double rooms
• Laundry services
• Educational, social and entertainment opportunities
• Restaurant-style dining
• Access to medical services
• Indoor and outdoor commons areas
• Emergency alert systems
• Onsite beautician

What Is Senior Living Like in Knoxville, TN?

The third largest city in Tennessee, Knoxville is located in the eastern part of the state along the Tennessee River. Home of the University of Texas and Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the historic town has a bustle of activity and outdoor adventures. Its famed Market Square maintains a 19th century charm with contemporary offerings. Although January and February may bring a little cold weather and snow, Knoxville’s climate is relatively warm.

Assisted Living Inspections and Ratings in Knoxville, TN

As for accessibility to assisted living records, the state of Tennessee received a high rating regarding. The Tennessee Department of Health maintains a listing of facilities and inspection reports. The state mandates facility inspections every 15 months. The department’s website has a link to the reports and other information.

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Knoxville, TN?

Assisted living costs in Tennessee are usually higher than other states nearby but lower than the national average. Although each facility determines pricing, people typically pay around $3,450 per month for assisted living.

Understanding Assisted Living Costs

Assisted living facilities determine the cost of residency as either a flat rate or a la carte method. A flat rate model is a standard fee that every resident pays regardless of which services are used. For people who want to stick to a budget but know their loved one may need additional services, this type may be a preferred option. In some cases, you may end up spending more than you would at another facility. If a facility charges a la carte, it is usually broken down into the following:

• Base Fee: Like rent, this fee covers amenities such as utilities, housekeeping, maintenance and meals. Factors affecting the amount include the size of the unit, number of people and type of service.
• Care Fee: Costs for different care services vary. Each service your loved needs, such as assistance getting dressed or moving around, has an associated cost.
• Medication Management: If you have been a caregiver for your loved on, you likely understand how complicated prescriptions can be. The fee for this service is determined by the complexity of the medication routine.
• Ancillary Services: Many facilities provide access to other health and some non-health services at a cost. Depending on the facility, these may include parking, physical therapy, extra meals or outings.

Regardless of which method works best for your situation, you can expect to pay a one-time upfront fee. This payment reserves your spot in a community. The amount varies at each facility.

How Can I Afford/Pay For Assisted Living?

After getting your mind wrapped around the costs, figuring out how to pay for the best care possible is challenging for some families. Planning ahead is key to making the transition easier. Even if you’ve planned and have savings or income available, it may need to be supplemented to ensure optimal care for years to come. Options available may include:

• Sell or Rent a Home: Although it can be a difficult decision to part with a home full of memories, it is a valuable asset that can provide welcome relief to payment concerns. If a loved one isn’t ready to take that step, renting it out can provide reliable monthly income. If only one loved needs assisted living and a spouse remains in the house, a reverse mortgage allows people to borrow money from the equity of the home.
• Long-term Care Insurance: Although only a small percentage of people have this option, if you have a long-term care policy, it may be used to cover some or all of the costs associated with assisted living. Since every policy is different, it is important to discuss the policy with an agent to determine how it can be used. Typically, these policies can only be used if a person is unable to complete at least basic living activities on their own, such as bathing, eating or walking.
• Life Insurance: Depending on the policy, you may be able to do a life settlement. This process involves the policy being bought by a person or company, who takes on the payments and converts a percentage of the benefits into cash for the original policyholder.
• Veterans Benefits: If you or your spouse served in the military during wartime, the Veterans Aid & Attendance, administered by the Veteran’s Administration, may have funding available to assist with some of the cost.

What to Look For When Touring Assisted Living Facilities

While cost is an important factor, the true testament of a community is how well it meets your loved one's needs and how comfortable they will feel being a part of it. The best way to do that is by touring several facilities. Although they may all provide assisted living, each has its own nuances that may be more suitable for your unique family. Most facilities welcome and encourage potential residents and their families to visit. If you aren’t sure how to make the arrangements, A Place for Mom can help you set up a tour.

Once you arrive for your tour, focus on every element of the community, from the infrastructure to the people. Some things to look for include:

• Staff Friendliness: Observing how the staff interact with guests is vital. If they are smiling, attentive and speak to residents like adults, it signals they are true caregivers who care. If you notice any staff ignoring or avoiding residents or talking down to them, you may want to reconsider the facility an option.
• Cleanliness: Even if a facility is older, it should be well-maintained. From the outside, take note of the condition of the grounds and building itself. Inside the facility should be clean and free of stains or foul odors.
• Safety Measures: Look for emergency exits, grip bars, call buttons and overhead sprinklers. If an emergency were to happen, you need to be confident that proper safety measures are in place.
• Engaged Residents: The residents themselves are a great indicator of what life is like at a facility. Although every personality and level of interaction is unique, residents happily chatting with one another or engaging in activities can indicate a positive culture.

As you take the tour, ask questions. Your purpose there is important, so don’t fret about asking a silly question or making an assumption. Whether you’re curious about laundry services or schedules, your tour guide should be ready for anything. If possible, coordinate the tour so you can participate in a meal. The dining experience not only provides personal knowledge of the food served, it also is an opportunity to observe the atmosphere. Whichever facility you tour, trust in yourself. If something makes you feel uneasy, it’s likely your loved one will feel the same. If that is the case, learn from it so you can use that experience on your next tour.

What Are the Signs It’s Time for Assisted Living?

Throughout the process of finding the right care for your loved one, it is commonplace for doubt to sink in and make you question whether it’s the right time for the transition. Although every situation is unique, there can be many signs that you are on the right path.

• Medical Conditions: As people age, chronic illnesses have a way of surfacing. Even if your loved one has been fortunate, minor injuries and falls become more common and can lead to serious problems. Older adults living alone may not be able to get the help they need if they do get injured.
• Household Neglect: Caring for an aging loved one means knowing their habits. If cleanliness was once the norm and slowly begins to become a rarity, it may indicate they can no longer handle the work.
• Eating Habits and Hygiene: Proper nutrition is important at every age, but it is even more vital for older adults. If a loved one begins to lose weight or has no appetite, it could indicate an illness or other problem. Cooking and shopping can become difficult chores. Their personal care is also important. Poor grooming habits and noticeable odor may indicate they can no longer care for themselves.
• Financial Issues: There are always bills to pay, shopping to do and budgets to stick to. While some people are better at financial tasks than others, aging can make them even more difficult. If a person begins to neglect those financial duties, it can quickly lead to depression and dire financial situations.
• Isolation: A loved one's activity level is an indicator of many things. If a person was once socially active and now no longer wishes to see friends, it may mean that they are lonely, depressed or developing a memory illness. Assisted living facilities are called communities because they provide older adults the level of socializing they need to maintain both their mental and physical health.

How Do I Make the Right Choice?

With so many options in Knoxville available, choosing the perfect community for your loved one to become part of isn’t easy. A Place for Mom has been helping people find the right one for more than 20 years. In addition to gaining experience from helping others, many of our Advisors have been where you are now, facing a momentous change. We strive to alleviate some of the stress associated with this challenging time and give you the care your loved one deserves.