The generation of Americans known as Baby Boomers are transitioning from middle aged to seniors, and as this large group ages, their needs continue to change. To accommodate these changes, more and more eldercare homes and facilities are being built or expanded. Senior communities that offer a myriad of services and activities are one choice some seniors are considering, and as some people need a bit more help, assisted living, nursing homes and board & care homes offer a few more options. Here are some of the latest facts about eldercare.
More than 13% of our population is comprised by Americans older than 65, and that percentage should continue to grow as the Baby Boomers head into their golden years. Perhaps they are known as the golden years because of how much it costs to pay for all the medical expenses associated with aging. In generally, older Americans spend an average of $15,000 per year on medical expenses.
In addition to medical expenses, housing expenses can be quite high. It generally costs more than $3,000 a month to live in an assisted living facility, and while this facility cost usually includes many activities and amenities as well as all of your meals, housekeeping and help with some personal care tasks, the cost has to be covered completely with your own money. Medicaid, Medicare and other government assistance options cannot be used to supplement these costs.
About 4% of Americans that are older than 65 live in a nursing home or a similar facility. For some, it's about needing a high level of daily medical care or assistance and for others, it's a budgetary matter. It costs about $6,000 per month to live in a nursing home, but nursing home costs often are covered by Medicaid and other benefits, so those on a fixed income might find that this is their best option for housing. While about 1.5 million people in the United States live in these homes, it's generally not one's first choice for their senior years and more a matter of necessity. Some facilities do try diligently to make their facility a more comfortable and interesting place for residents.
Another option that allows a person to stay in their home and still have some level of care is hiring an in-home worker. Currently, about 40 million Americans are actually providing this service for their parent, which can be a difficult burden, particularly if you have to work and also care for a parent and raise your children all at the same time. While the industry of in-home care is booming, salaries for these workers are quite low, usually less than $22,000 per year. This creates high turnaround rates and often the caregivers are not high in quality. Still, there are about 1.3 million people taking these jobs, and hundreds of thousands more caregivers are needed.
Finding an eldercare option can be a daunting task, but there are companies out there that specialize in matching seniors to an assisted living community, skilled nursing facility or other type of eldercare option that suits their unique needs. They will take into consideration your care needs, medical needs and budget and create a list of places that match this criteria. From there, you can visit these facilities and choose the one at which you will be the most comfortable.
More than 13% of our population is comprised by Americans older than 65, and that percentage should continue to grow as the Baby Boomers head into their golden years. Perhaps they are known as the golden years because of how much it costs to pay for all the medical expenses associated with aging. In generally, older Americans spend an average of $15,000 per year on medical expenses.
In addition to medical expenses, housing expenses can be quite high. It generally costs more than $3,000 a month to live in an assisted living facility, and while this facility cost usually includes many activities and amenities as well as all of your meals, housekeeping and help with some personal care tasks, the cost has to be covered completely with your own money. Medicaid, Medicare and other government assistance options cannot be used to supplement these costs.
About 4% of Americans that are older than 65 live in a nursing home or a similar facility. For some, it's about needing a high level of daily medical care or assistance and for others, it's a budgetary matter. It costs about $6,000 per month to live in a nursing home, but nursing home costs often are covered by Medicaid and other benefits, so those on a fixed income might find that this is their best option for housing. While about 1.5 million people in the United States live in these homes, it's generally not one's first choice for their senior years and more a matter of necessity. Some facilities do try diligently to make their facility a more comfortable and interesting place for residents.
Another option that allows a person to stay in their home and still have some level of care is hiring an in-home worker. Currently, about 40 million Americans are actually providing this service for their parent, which can be a difficult burden, particularly if you have to work and also care for a parent and raise your children all at the same time. While the industry of in-home care is booming, salaries for these workers are quite low, usually less than $22,000 per year. This creates high turnaround rates and often the caregivers are not high in quality. Still, there are about 1.3 million people taking these jobs, and hundreds of thousands more caregivers are needed.
Finding an eldercare option can be a daunting task, but there are companies out there that specialize in matching seniors to an assisted living community, skilled nursing facility or other type of eldercare option that suits their unique needs. They will take into consideration your care needs, medical needs and budget and create a list of places that match this criteria. From there, you can visit these facilities and choose the one at which you will be the most comfortable.
About the Author:
Agatha Lebouef loves reading home health care blogs. For additional information about assisted living facilities in San Marcos or for expert help finding board and care Dana Point homes for your loved ones, please check out the CarePlacement.com website today.
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