Assisted Living near Chesapeake, VA

Assisted Living in Chesapeake, Virginia

What Is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is a long term senior living solution which includes help and support for the activities of daily living such as meals, bathing, dressing and medication administration. It is not exactly like a nursing home, where residents can expect round-the-clock skilled nursing care. Every assisted living facility has its mixture of offerings, amenities, activities and lifestyle. Many also provide support for seniors with particular needs such as for example diabetes, incontinence care needs or the early levels of cognitive decline because of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Assisted Living Vs. Memory Care

According to the National Center for Assisted Living, nearly one in four seniors currently in assisted living in the state of Virginia experience Alzheimer’s disease or another kind of dementia. In addition, many assisted living communities give support for residents with cognitive issues. So how figure out if designated memory care or simply assisted living is what your loved one needs?

Although some assisted living communities offer memory care onsite, the two kinds of care won't be the same. Memory care provides full-time specific services for someone with Alzheimer's while assisted living is designed to meet the needs of those who need assistance with the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as for example bathing, getting dressed or eating. Assisted living can be a good option for people in the earlier stages of Alzheimer’s but for individuals who have who have wandering situations or who have caused injury to themselves or others, a secured memory care setting is probably a more suitable choice.

In case you have specific queries when it comes to what kind of care your loved one requires, speak to a physician. They can help you decide whether assisted living will continue to work or if you want to seek out memory care. You can also talk to one of our Senior Living Advisors. They have helped many families with questions about what kind of treatment is the best fit for his or her family member or friend and they will help you, too.

What Services Are Offered in Assisted Living?

While every community is different, most assisted living facilities offer a variety of living arrangements, an array of meal options, public areas and complimentary transportation, among other solutions and amenities. Some examples are:

• Activities, entertainment and occasions, both on-site and off
• Exercise and health programs
• House cleaning, including bed linen service
• Access to healthcare professionals

Assisted Living Inspections and Ratings in Virginia

The state of Virginia offers exceptional access to its information for assisted living facilities through the Virginia Department of Social Services. Data open to review includes the dates of inspection, whether an inspection was prompted by a issue, whether the inspector found any infractions and what the plan of correction was to address a violation. You can search by community name or zip code to get the communities in the areas you are thinking about.

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

• Allow only two individuals to live in one bedroom
• Provide handrails, nonskid floors and grab bars in every bath tub and shower
• Equip all sleeping rooms with connecting restrooms with signaling devices that residents may use in case they need help.

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Chesapeake?

According to the A Place for Mom Senior Living Cost Index, the normal cost of assisted living in the greater Chesapeake, Virginia , metropolitan area in 2018 ranged from $1500 to $8790 per month. Charges for assisted living may differ widely based on services, features and location, so it pays to look in nearby suburbs and towns if you have that flexibility.

The Senior Living Cost Index is founded on the actual rates families pay once they move to assisted living in fact it is the only price index of its kind. To find out more about senior living costs, go to the A Place for Mom Senior Living Cost Planner web page.

How to Pay for Senior Living In Chesapeake, VA

Many family members fund a move to assisted living through the sale of a home or personal savings, however for some people, this may not be an choice. Listed below are three other approaches that may help you pay for assisted living:

• Veterans Benefits: Many seniors may be eligible for veterans benefits that they don’t aren't aware of. One benefit specifically, Aid & Attendance, has made it possible for thousands of families have the funds for assisted living. To qualify, veterans need 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 intervals. Qualifying widows and widowers of veterans can also be able to collect benefits. With the current average age of U.S. veterans at 64 years old, it’s worth it to discover if your family member may be eligible for benefits. See our Guide to VA Benefits and Long-Term Care for more details or contact the Virginia Department of Veterans Services or Veterans Information for Virginia to learn more or head to va.gov.
• Life Insurance Policies. If the senior you are assisting transfer to assisted living has a life insurance policy, you may be in a position to cash out the policy and receive funds now. Different restrictions and rules apply depending on the kind of policy you have, so get in touch with a financial specialist or elderlaw attorney to find out more about your options and to evaluate what’s best for your position.
• Reverse Mortgages. For senior couples who might have different needs, a reverse mortgage can be a good method for one person to go into assisted living while the other remains in the home while his or her partner transitions to senior living. A reverse mortgage makes it possible for homeowners aged 62 or older to borrow on their home equity. To find out more, contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to look for a reverse mortgage counseling agency in your area.

For more ideas about how to finance your move to senior living, contact A Place for Mom to talk to a Senior Living Advisor today. Or find even more information on our 5 Best-Kept Secrets to Financing Senior Care page.

5 Questions to Ask an Assisted Living Facility

Finding the right assisted living facility is a big decision, both for a senior and for his or her family. Here are five things to consider when thinking about making the move to assisted living:

1. What is the staff-to-resident ratio? Can this community offer your family member with the support they need? Based on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 25% of assisted living communities have a ratio of one personal care assistant for every 23 residents. Staffing can vary widely based on the size of the facility, so be certain to ask about the communities you are interested in.
2. Is there yard? For many residents making the changeover from an individual residence to assisted living involves letting go of a beloved backyard or outdoor area, so the ability to access a gardening area, an outdoor patio or a courtyard is beneficial. Many larger assisted living communities provide a range of yards, with features such as walking paths, gardens and BBQ spaces for community occasions.
3. Just how many staff are available to assist during the night? Some assisted living communities provide 24x7 nursing staff, while others may have more general assistance on hand after hours. In the state of Virginia, assisted living facilities are required to have a minimum of two direct care staff members awake and accessible at all times.
4. Is there a waiting list? Popular facilities can fill fast. If the main one you like isn't available, ask about the waiting list and what the facillity’s plan is for controlling it. Many facilities will ask for a deposit and some communities have internal lists for special treatment needs. Here is where doing all your research can actually pay off -- plan in advance!
5. What assistance are contained in the monthly fee? Before signing the contract, it’s smart to understand what is covered in the basic fee framework and what might incur additional expense. Some communities employ a fee-for-services style, or a la carte pricing, which means they charge a regular monthly fee for rent and meals but further charges for things such as medication management. Others may use a tiered prices model where different levels of treatment are charged different costs.

For more information regarding what to search for when going to an assisted living community, take a look at our Assisted Living Residence Checklist web page.

How Do I Choose the Right Assisted Living Facility?

With so many options to choose from, finding the right assisted living community can appear like a daunting task. That’s where our Senior Living Advisors will help -- they are experienced in helping match seniors to the facilities that are the best fit because of their care needs, personality and resources.

Below are a few things to remember during your search:

• Be sure to look for your family member, not you. Today’s assisted living communities offer everything from homey surroundings to upscale resort-style grand living. It can be easy to end up being influenced by the features and options you might decide for yourself, but eventually it comes down to what will work best for your family member.
• Focus on the present, not the past. Does your family member want help washing and dressing? Do they have particular needs like limited vision or special diets? Would they enjoy the benefits of a larger community or be a little more relaxed in a smaller, more intimate environment?
• Take into account the here and now, not what may have been their choice ten or 15 years back.
• Plan to visit at least three to five facilities, if you're able to. Start with scheduled visits and consider having a meal with the residents. If none of them seems like a good fit, ask your Senior Living Advisor for more options. And don’t be reluctant to ask questions and take down notes while you’re there.

The task of deciding on the best assisted living community can be overwhelming, but there are resources that will help. Call A Place for Mom today -- we are able to help save you time and money and make sure you make the right choice.

About Senior Living in Chesapeake, Virginia

Virginia offers more than 43 assisted living options to pick from, with a wide selection of prices, styles and features. Whether you are looking for down-home atmosphere or resort-style living, you can find it in the greater Chesapeake area. For more information about services for seniors in Virginia, go to the Senior Connections website or SeniorNavigator, a site that has links to community resources across the state, the site can be searchable by town or zipcode.