Transitioning an elderly loved one to a senior care facility is stressful. There are new homes to find, emotions to sort through and a lifetime of mementos to clean out.

Most importantly, there are significant costs involved. Understanding how these expenses can be paid is vital for a family making this decision.

Identify Your Needs

If a senior is struggling with the physical or mental aspects of daily living, it may be time to seek outside help. A good place to start is with a needs assessment.

The next step is to look for referrals. Family and friends are often the best sources for recommendations. However, a local Area Agency on Aging, community organization, geriatric care manager or health insurance provider can also help.

Then, think about the level of assistance that’s needed. If your loved one needs help opening cans or reaching items on high shelves, it’s possible that assistive devices could make a big difference. On the other hand, a decline in cognitive function, memory loss or frequent falls might necessitate more intensive care. In that case, consider finding a reputable home care agency or assisted living community.

Explore Options

Many families are unprepared when they discover their elderly loved one needs senior care. This is why it is important to take steps to explore options early on.

This step includes assessing what types of insurance coverage are available and understanding the limitations of those benefits. It also helps individuals better understand the estimated cash outlay required and how to budget accordingly.

Several different resources can be used to help with the cost of senior care. These include government funding, veteran benefits, and Medicaid-funded long-term care programs. In addition, several non-profit organizations offer grants and discounts for senior home care services.

Family caregivers can sometimes help seniors stay home with home care services such as meal assistance and medication help. For those looking for a more structured community environment, some retirement communities offer on-site healthcare services for those who need it.

Schedule a Visit

Whether your elderly family member is struggling with Alzheimer’s or has a chronic condition like back pain, it may be time to get them some help. This can be a difficult step, especially since senior care costs can be overwhelming.

To find out how much senior care might cost, you can visit this site, which will break down different options and their prices. It’s important to understand what you are paying for, as this will give you a better idea of what type of care your loved one might need.

This site also offers tips for caregivers, such as taking breaks from caring for a loved one. It also shares family resources, such as support groups, state-by-state resources, and financial aid programs. It even has information on avoiding fraud against seniors. It hosts helpful videos, classes, events, and training on various topics. You can also search by zip code or city to find local organizations that provide services for older adults.

Make the Decision

When deciding on senior care, it’s important to listen to the needs of your loved one. If they say they don’t feel safe living alone or would enjoy interacting with other seniors, it might be time to consider a facility or in-home caregiver.

Many families are overwhelmed by the costs and the process of paying for senior care. Fortunately, there are numerous options to help offset those costs. Here are a few of the most popular methods to help make it easier for you and your family to afford senior care.

Older adults, caregivers and health administrators assessed the final guide for usability. Caregivers were more comfortable with the guide than elderly family members (median score of 2.5 versus 2.0). The final English and French guides are a 10-page colored booklet designed to be easily accessible by the target population. The guide was developed using a user-centered design approach.