Long Term Care Options In Florida
You’ve decided to relocate to Florida and you may be wondering what is the best long term care option for your family. With more than 13,000 licensed in-home caregivers and 26,000 beds available for those who need care, it’s important to know where to find quality care for your loved one as they move towards end of life. Here are some long-term care options in Florida.
Long Term Care Options In Florida: Long Term Care Options In Florida It's been a while since you've moved away from home, but now that your elderly family member has settled into their new surroundings they're likely feeling a little lonely. As much as you'd love to move them back to your place, chances are that they're in a home that can offer them the customized care they need. Here's a look at some of the long-term care options in Florida. Assisted Living Facilities
With the number of seniors growing every day, assisted living facilities are quickly becoming a great option for seniors looking for help with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing and eating. With additional help available 24-7 from home health aides and nurses, assisted living communities are becoming more affordable than nursing homes, and offer a more private setting than that of a nursing home. Independent Living Communities
As a senior continues to age, they may begin to need more care than they can manage on their own. Individual private living arrangements offer seniors a tailor-made home where they can live independently and still receive 24-hour help for daily activities. These communities often offer skilled nursing or rehabilitation services, as well as transportation services for those who need help getting around.
State Assisted Living Facility (SALF) Benefits: State Assisted Living Facility (SALF) Benefits The Department of Elder Affairs maintains information on Virginia nursing homes regulated by the Department of Health, which includes conditions of care at each facility and the quality of life and services available to residents. The Department of Medical Assistance Services provides information on Medicaid and its state plan. Additionally, there are many private resources in the Hampton Roads area that provide support for individuals and caregivers. These include:
* The Area Agency on Aging, which serves the local area with a focus on older adults who are disabled or frail;
* Virginia Hospital Center, which offers assistance with Medicare and other healthcare issues; and
* Virginia Family Caregiver Support Program, which focuses on caregiving services for older adults who are disabled. Information from these organizations can be found at http://www.aaaai.org/Assisted_Living_Facilities.php#Virginia .
Moving to Florida: Moving to Florida The elderly, on average, cost more than all other age groups. According to a 2011 report from Lifewise, an Indianapolis-based health care information company, the average daily cost for long-term care in 2011 was nearly $89 per day for a privately insured senior. The same report indicates that seniors between the age of 55 and 64 face an eye-popping cost of $40,000 each year for nursing home care when they are not able to afford their own private insurance. The Heritage Foundation estimates that Americans will spend an estimated $20.7 trillion in Medicare and Medicaid spending over the next 75 years. This is a significant figure, which means that it's important to take advantage of Florida's low-cost options for long-term care. In the case of a state such as Florida, more than 13,000 people are employed in the in-home caregiver field, according to the American Human Resources Association. This number is expected to increase by more than 43 percent by 2022. In addition, while nursing home costs can run upward of $100 per day in Florida, assisted living facilities (ALFs) can cost as little as $1,357 per month for full service. That's a significant difference and something to keep in mind if you or a loved one is looking for long-term care options in Florida.
Costs can be further reduced by taking advantage of benefits offered by the Florida Medicaid program. In order to qualify for Medicaid benefits, it's important to meet the income requirements set forth by the state. Typically, income derived from social security is not considered as part of this calculation. However, there are other sources of income that are counted, including wages from employment and rental properties. The good news is that Florida allows for a spend-down period prior to qualifying for Medicaid benefits, which means that basic medical services can be obtained while you work on establishing your eligibility status. Also, Florida does not impose a penalty period if you are deemed ineligible for Medicaid and later become eligible. The spent-down period includes the costs of home care and nursing home care that can be counted toward the qualification.
If you are seeking long-term care options in Florida, it pays to do your homework and explore your options beforehand. This allows you to make an informed decision regarding your loved one's future needs, as well as provide peace of mind for yourself. If you're looking for assisted living facilities in Florida or would like more information about how to qualify for Medicaid benefits, feel free to give us a call at 800-776-7775 or contact us through email at info@clcog.com .
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Please contact us if you have any questions about long-term care in Florida, or if you'd like more information about the Medicaid programs. We'll be happy to help.
Long-Term Care Options in Florida: The Elderly and Long-Term Care Insurance Medicare is a federal program under which U.S. citizens can receive coverage for long-term care services. In order to qualify for the program, individuals must be at least 65 years of age and have an income that does not exceed $1,288 per month as of 2014. While the elderly are generally the target population for Medicare, there are other groups of individuals who qualify to receive long-term care services as part of their benefits package. Those include persons with disabilities or chronic illnesses, as well as adults over the age of 65 who work.
Medicaid is a federal and state program under which individuals can receive long-term care services at reduced rates compared with Medicare coverage. In order to qualify for Medicaid benefits, it's important to meet certain income requirements set forth by the individual states. In Florida, as of 2014, income derived from social security is not considered as part of this calculation. However, there are other sources of income that can be counted toward qualifying for Medicaid benefits.
Conclusion Florida is the second most populated state in the country, and it has a large percentage of its population living in or near one of the state's three largest metropolitan areas: Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Orlando-Kissimmee, and Tampa-St. Petersburg. Since long-term care services are important to more than half of all Floridians, it's important to ensure that you have access to affordable options for long-term care. For more information about how you can identify appropriate long-term care options for your family member or loved one, call 800-776-7775 or contact us at info@clcog.com .
We're here to help.