Nursing homes provide an intensive level of support and medical care to seniors who need it. However, they’re not the only long-term care option that may work for you in your golden years. Middle-class seniors are exploring alternatives to nursing homes that are cheaper and provide more independence, enabling them to live their best life. Depending on your goals, needs, and financial resources, it’s possible that options like assisted living, senior apartments, or adult day care may be right for you. Here are several alternative forms of care that may be worth exploring.
1. Adult Day Care
Adult daycare can be a great alternative to nursing homes for seniors who don’t need as much support, so don’t be put off by the name! These community-based group programs enable you to socialize with other seniors during the day and participate in fun activities. Most centers also provide meals and some care services. Attending adult day care is significantly cheaper than moving into a nursing home. Plus, seniors can return home at night to a familiar environment, allowing them to live independently while getting the help they need.
2. Downsizing to a Senior Apartment
As seniors lose mobility, it can be difficult for them to keep up with chores and home upkeep. Downsizing to a smaller home or even a low-maintenance senior apartment can help older adults continue living independently without as much hassle. Senior apartments are tailored to the needs of retirees, offering amenities that can help them live their best lives, such as housekeeping services, fitness classes, and on-site dining.
The apartments are designed to be wheelchair accessible and easy to clean. However, keep in mind that these communities may not offer home-based care services for seniors who need more support.
3. Family and Respite Care
Some seniors are lucky enough to have loved ones who are willing to care for them. Whether you plan to move in with your relatives or have them check in on you in your own home, family care can be a good alternative to nursing homes.
However, it’s important to arrange respite care for your loved ones so they don’t get burnt out. Caregiving can be a taxing responsibility, so your family member will need some time off every now and then. The NIH offers a locator tool that can help you find respite care services in your area.
4. Aging in Place
Leaving home and moving into an unfamiliar nursing home can be traumatic. That’s why many older adults would prefer to age in place. According to HUD, seniors who own their home outright may actually save money by choosing this alternative to nursing homes.
For seniors who don’t need round-the-clock assistance, home-based health services can be cheaper than institutional care. Retirees who choose this option are able to retain more independence and enjoy the warmth of their familiar home environment, enabling them to live their best life.
5. PACE
PACE is a Medicare and Medicaid program for seniors that can help support their goals of aging in place. It provides older adults who would otherwise need nursing home care with outpatient health services, allowing them to maintain their independence.
PACE may help with the cost of alternatives to nursing homes such as adult daycare and home-based care. Plus, certain types of preventive care like physical therapy, nutritional counseling, occupational therapy, and dentistry might be covered depending on your medical needs.
6. Adult Foster Care
Large nursing homes with many residents and rotating staff can feel impersonal. Adult foster care offers a smaller, more intimate setting in which a handful of seniors live together in a group home. Live-in caregivers are available to support residents with activities of daily living 24/7, providing personalized and compassionate care.
According to Paying For Senior Care, adult foster care is typically cheaper than a nursing home, making it a good option for middle class seniors. However, adult foster care facilities don’t provide the level of medical care and supervision that nursing homes offer, so they may not be right for everyone.
7. Continuing Care Retirement Community
CCRCs allow you to stay in one community regardless of the level of care that you need or how that changes over time. With accommodations ranging from senior apartments to round-the-clock nursing, these communities offer a continuum of care options to assist seniors as they age and their medical needs increase. Getting to remain in the same community can provide a sense of familiarity, helping residents feel more comfortable and live their best lives.
However, this customized level of care does come at a cost. According to AARP, most communities charge an entry fee, which can range from $40,000 to $400,000 or more in some cases. While this option may work for middle-class seniors with a nest egg, some older adults may not be able to afford a CCRC.
8. Assisted Living
If you like the idea of moving into a facility, but don’t need the higher level of care available at nursing homes, assisted living may be a good option. Assisted living is typically more affordable than nursing home care because it’s less intensive. At assisted living facilities, seniors receive help with activities of daily living and have the opportunity to socialize with their peers. Seniors may even have their own apartment, giving them more autonomy and enabling them to live their best lives.
Understand Your Needs
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to senior care. It’s important to understand your needs and budget to find a solution that will help you get the care you need now or in the future.
Many seniors require assistance in order to live their best life in their golden years. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to move into a nursing home. These alternatives to nursing homes may be suitable depending on your abilities and health status. We hope that this article has given you some food for thought as you begin your planning.