If you’re like most people over age 65, you probably think you’re doing just fine on your own.
In time, most people will need some help with daily living – whether it’s preparing meals and cleaning the house or more extensive assistance with bathing, dressing and using the bathroom.
Knowing that’s the case, it’s wise to consider some things-now -to prepare for whatever level of care you may need in the future.
Here are six things older adults like you ought to know:
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Long-term care encompasses many different levels of support. You might immediately think about nursing care, but you can receive long-term care in a variety of residential situations, including daily living assistance, helping you stay in your own home for as long as possible.
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Community resources such as non-medical home care and meal delivery may be available where you live, enabling you to age in place without moving to a senior living facility. Look into church and community programs that offer help with lawn mowing, home repairs, transportation, legal assistance and paying home heating bills.
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In Cleveland, McGregor PACE is a growing program that provides services to help people stay in their homes longer and age better than ever before.
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Be wary of social isolation. As peers move away or pass away, it’s easy to get lonely. That’s not only a concern for your emotional health, but it also can accelerate cognitive decline. Explore volunteer opportunities and social programs for older adults in your community. For example, McGregor PACE is a life enrichment program that coordinates activities such as woodworking, gardening, painting and cultural field trips. Some independent living arrangements in retirement communities foster socialization through scheduled activities and by serving meals in a central dining area.
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Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are common reasons older adults need long-term care, and more than a third of people age 85 and over will be diagnosed with some form of the disease. You can take steps now to reduce your risk by getting enough physical exercise, staying active and socially engaged, and eating a healthy diet.
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Even if you’re among the minority of Americans who never need long-term care, it can be a good idea to get your name on a waiting list in a senior living facility so there’s a place for you if the need arises. Be proactive and tour facilities to get a look at different kinds of living arrangements, and decide which one you might like best. It’s better to make a decision you’re comfortable with in advance than to be forced into whatever facility is available during a health crisis. Often times when a catastrophic incident happens, the hospital will discharge you and ask where you want to live. If you haven’t educated yourself on the options and discussed it with your family, that can make for a very stressful time.
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Long-term care can be costly. While government programs may foot the bill for some services, Medicare does not pay for assisted living. It’s important to explore options for financing long-term care, including long-term care insurance.
To ease the cost of long-term care, McGregor this year, broke ground on a new 90-unit assisted living facility in Cleveland that will give older adults an opportunity to enjoy senior living without the high cost.
The $12 million building on McGregor’s beautiful, 32-acre campus at 14850 Private Drive is scheduled to open in two phases starting in late summer 2019.
McGregor offers a full continuum of care from in-home support to end-of-life care including independent living, assisted living and nursing care.
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