How to decide home care or assisted living???

[a kennedy]

My husband is now in assisted living……but the cost is going way up because our insurance is no longer going to pay for his stay. His daughter in law suggested home care like 24 hours a day care. Looking into it, it seems so complicated……..need a nurse or just someone who can help with daily tasks, need meals prepared and shopping. Need 24 hours or just 8 hours. Live in or just visit. I just can’t deal with it all.

[True Dough]

1. My wife's mom is now in assisted living

after attempting home care during her waking hours. It was viable for about a year, but there were many headaches because of missed shifts by the personal care workers who had emergencies with their children or storms or whatever.

Assisted living is definitely more costly, but the care is constant. That said, you could always wish for a better staff to resident ratio, but the facility is pretty good.

[niyad]

2. Do you have something like an Area Council on Aging? A good senior

resource center? Perhaps call around, see if you can locate a social worker, advocate, or some such, to help you through all of this. I wish I had anything more helpful to offer, but know that yiur DU family is here for you.

[NJCher]

3. search this

for your state: patient care advocate (state)

So if your state is NJ, patient care advocate NJ

These people know all the options.

[flor-de-jasmim]

4. Don't forget to take care of yourself.

One of the advantages of assisted living is that it helps not only the residents, but also their families in keeping things in balance. In Asst Living there is a larger staff that rotates, there is a community of people around. My mother spent the last 12 years of her life in Asst Living, and I don’t think she ever had in her life up to then so many friends. My husband and I could not have given her as varied a life, once she started losing her mobility. Good luck and stay well.

[marybourg]

5. 24 hour/day home care through an agency is about $200,000/year.

If you know of someone trustworthy and reliable who is willing to live in, it will cost less, but beware of aides who want to be paid “under the table” with no insurance. You will be in big trouble if they get hurt in the house, or turn on you and complain to authorities. My experience and research suggests that up to 6 hours a day, home care is more affordable. Over 6 hours/day, assisted living is much more affordable. Since the pandemic, the numbers are probably even more skewed to facility care.

[3Hotdogs]

6. First thing Monday, call your county Bar Association for referrals for Elder Law Attorneys.

If you or your husband was a combat vet, Korea, V.N., or such, call your county Veterans Admin. office.

[dflprincess]

7. Are you in Minnesota

I know I see you in that forum but I may be making assumptions.

If you haven't tried this already, the Minnesota Senior Linkage line may be able to help you, at the very least they can point you in the right direction to help get some answers to help with your decisions.

Phone: [phone]

https://mn.gov/senior-linkage-line/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=organic

[a kennedy]

8. Yes, in MN and thank you for this.