Tips & Tools

According to the Center for Excellence in Assisted Living, the expansion of Medicaid home and community-based waiver programs has made it possible for an increasing number of Medicaid-eligible seniors to receive services in assisted living. Today, 41 states reimburse assisted living services through Medicaid - double the number of states from 10 years ago. Still, only about 8 percent of assisted living residents are covered by Medicaid, and the majority of beneficiaries are concentrated in a few states.

Many continuing care retirement communities typically offer three types of housing contracts, and are divided into three groups. Type A - life care contracts - guarantee residents lifelong care without significantly increasing monthly fees. Modified contracts, also known as Type B, offer a specified number of days in assisted living or nursing homes, then charge for additional care beyond that determination. Type C communities offer fee-for-service contracts that require resident pay more depending on their level of additional care.

Experts at the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) stress that an integral part of your decision-making process is in understanding an assisted living community's philosophy of care. When making a major life decision such as choosing an assisted living residence, it's important to be an informed consumer.

Confirm that residents are afforded respect, comfort, privacy, religious freedom, the right to voice grievances should they arise, maintenance of personal finances, and control over health care decisions. Additionally, inquire about internal regulations regarding pets, alcohol, smoking, and other quality-of-life issues, to see if they correspond with your personal preferences. It is also wise to visit the facilities more than once, sometimes unannounced, and observe the interactions between staff and residents.