Searching for long-term care can be confusing; we have answers
What is a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)?
A Continuing Care Retirement Community allows residents to "age in place" by providing services and housing that accommodate their needs as they change over time. A resident might come into the community at the independent level and subsequently move to assisted living or skilled nursing — all on the same campus or within the same community.
What is independent living?
Independent living is for seniors who do not require assistance with activities of daily living but are able to live on their own without aid.
What is assisted living?
Assisted living facilities offer residents help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, etc. Residents are not able to live completely independently but do not require the constant care provided in a skilled nursing facility.
What is a skilled nursing facility?
Skilled nursing facilities (SNF), sometimes known as nursing homes, are appropriate for people needing 24-hour care due to illness or conditions that limit their independence. A licensed physician supervises each patient's care. A SNF is also sometimes appropriate for short-term stays following surgery or during rehabilitation.
What are activities of daily living (ADLs)?
Activities of daily living (you may hear them referred to as "ADLs") include any daily activity we perform for self-care — such as feeding ourselves, bathing, dressing, grooming, work, homemaking and leisure.
The basic activities of daily living consist of the following:
- Bathing
- Dressing and undressing
- Eating
- Transferring from bed to chair, and back
- Control of bladder and bowel function
- Using the toilet
- Walking (not bedridden)
Does Medicare pay for Assisted Living?
No. There are 4 parts to Medicare:
- Part A: Pays for hospitalization, skilled nursing facilities (for rehabilitation/short term only), hospice, and home care. Call (800) MEDICARE for questions about Part A coverage.
- Part B: Medical, Physician, Diagnostic, Outpatient.
- Part C: Advantage Plans- Combines Part A, Part B, and sometimes Part D coverage. These plans must cover medically necessary services. Plans can charge different co-payments, coinsurance, or deductibles for these services.
- Part D: Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage- helps cover prescription drugs. Specific enrollment periods.
What is Medigap?
A Medigap plan is a health insurance plan that fills the gaps in the Original Medicare Plan coverage. There are several different plans and different sets of benefits. These plans can be downloaded by visiting medicare.gov.