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Long Term Care Options

When an older adult needs help with their activities of daily living (ADLs), because of dementia, a stroke or other illness, the family may have to explore a nursing home placement.  However, the nursing home is not the only option available to our older adults in need of care.

Home Care:

Many older adults who need help with their ADLs want to get that help in their home.  There is no place like home, but you need to have a plan to make it happen.

  1. Family Caregivers.  The spouse and children are often the main caregivers at home.  But the spouse is often untrained and may not have the strength to help with these daily activities.
  2. Home Care Agency.  The family can hire an aide or attendant from a home care agency to provide homemaker services, health and medical care.  Most of these services will be privately paid for by the family, but there could be a Medicaid Waiver program available and even Veterans Benefits to help pay for this care.  Some Long Term Care insurance will even cover home care.
  3. PDA Waiver Program.  The Waiver Program is an important nursing home alternative.  It is administered by the Office of Aging and paid for by the Dept of Public Welfare.  If you qualify you could get home health care and services coordinated by the Office of Aging.  You must meet the Medicaid eligibility rules to qualify for this benefit.
  4. LIFE Program.  The LIFE Program is another excellent nursing home alternative program.  This Program provides a nursing home level of care to older adults in their local care center, provided that the older adult can safely return to their home at night.  If you meet the Medicaid eligibility rules, then the LIFE Program is FREE of charge to you.  You can privately pay for the LIFE Program if your income or assets are above the Medicaid limits.

Assisted Living/Personal Care Home:

Assisted Living Facilities and Personal Care Homes are available for our older adults who may require assistance with their ADLs.  They are staffed 24 hours a day with trained personnel.  Different facilities offer more or less care as you may require.

Generally, the cost of this care is privately paid for by the older adult.  Some personal care homes will accept the SSI payment.  If you are a veteran or the widow of a veteran, then you may be entitled to a VA benefit that will help pay for the cost of your assisted living care.