By William Smith
Many families suffer and are unsure of what to do when parents begin to experience physical challenges as they get older. An Assisted living community or a nursing home is out of the question for many. Moreover, even if they could afford it, the loved one or family member may not want to go in that direction.
Let’s talk about figures…
In Wisconsin, the average cost of assisted living for seniors is approximately $4,600 per month. This figure has seen a 4.55% increase in the last year1. Keep in mind that the level of care required and the specific location within Wisconsin can impact the cost .
The average cost for nursing home care in Wisconsin is around $8,684 per month for a semiprivate room1, or $87,363 per year2. This is close to the national average of $6,360 per month2, and lower than some neighboring states like Minnesota and Michigan1. The cost of nursing home care in Wisconsin may vary depending on the location, quality, and services of the facility.
- The base fee for room and board cited by most assisted living facilities does not include personal care services, which usually incur additional fees.
One option to consider is remaining at home.
If you have a family member that needs help with living in their homes and do not want to go into an assisted living community or stay at a nursing home long term. I may have some ways for you to assist with cutting some of the costs. it is imperative that you make a budget on how much you can afford. Keep track of expenses. It may not be ideal for everyone, but it is still an alternative that one should consider.
Convert the living room to a Care Room.
The living room is one of the largest rooms in the house. Remove coffee tables, end tables, etc. Any obstacle that would prevent free movement should be removed. By using the living room primarily, you will also keep caregivers from roaming other rooms and have all your supplies and equipment centralized.
Purchase your own Sit to Stand lift or a Hoyer lift from a medical supply company. This is a life saver. Nursing homes as well as some assisted living communities utilize these devices to move your elderly parent to transfer from a bed to a chair and vice versa. If you or your loved one is accepted into an assisted living community, many will suggest you purchase your own sit to stand lift. You can learn how to use the devise from the manufacturer itself or on you tube. Many sellers also assist in training you. Initially, it does cost to purchase the lift, but the savings surely outweigh the costs of a nursing home. It costs from $1200 to $3800 for a Sit to stand lift.
Purchase a wheel chair/ walker or get a wheelchair/ walker from a loaning program. Many cities have a loaning program with their department of aging. Medicare may help with the purchase. The veterans dept will certainly give wheelchairs to vets for free.
Purchase a commode. You can use the lift to bring him/ her onto the commode. Again, keeping everything central-makes the whole process easier.
Purchase a hospital bed. Medicare usually will help with the costs. If your loved one is in a nursing home currently, the social worker can order one for you with Medicare to transport to your home. Having a Retracting Head Section – keeps the user close to the nightstand when they raise the head section of the bed. This is an additional safety feature that greatly reduces fall risk as well as reduces bodily stress on the person in bed. They can watch TV in the evening . Purchase a mattress that helps at reducing bed sores will also help the process of assuring comfort.
Purchase incontinent supplies: If your loved ones have incontinent issues –there are so many products available for them online.
Females-Pure Wick products-The BD PureWick™ System – Official Site (purewickathome.com)
Males-Male External Catheter | Men’s Liberty (mensliberty.com)
Utilize Amazon to purchase Bed pads, pill organizers, adult diapers. I love amazon because the products are usually readily available and come very quickly .
Streamline Caregiver costs by hiring your own caregivers. You may only need a caregiver for 4 hours a day or for weekends. Nursing school’s students are ideal. Also utilize Care. Com and hire your own caregiver, set the rate and also get a criminal background done. There are grants that you can apply for from the department of aging, if approved, will help offset some of those costs.
Join a locale caregiving support groups in your areas. Great way to exchange ideas and to learn from each other.
Seek a financial & tax professional for deductions. Consider your loved one for dependent status.
In summary, when parents experience physical challenges as they age, many families find it difficult to know what to do with their loved one. “Keep on Aging Forward” is a mantra I have always adhered to. Even when we become older and face challenges, we still need to think of other options and ways to solve problems. It does not follow that someone with a physical disability should perform what society or the norm dictates. We are still capable of exercising our independence and choosing what is best for our family and ourselves. When it comes to opportunity, there is no one-size-fits-all method. While a nursing home or assisted living facility might be the only option, there are other options as well.
