If your parent is considering getting long-term care services, but they must be conscious of the costs, they’re not alone. While assisted living residences are often the go-to care solution for older adults, the monthly cost for can add up. Since many people must pay for senior care out of pocket, it can feel out of reach. There are options when your parent can’t afford assisted living. With thoughtful planning and creativity, there are ways to get the necessary help without moving to an assisted living community. Here, we’ll share some alternative care options when assisted living is financially out of reach and review some resources that may alleviate the cost of care.
Alternative care options for assisted living
Assisted living isn’t the only solution when your older adult loved one needs care. Other options can ensure they get the assistance they need while living in an environment they enjoy. Below are some alternatives for care if your parent can’t afford assisted living.
Hire a home care or home health care agency
Home care refers to professional caregivers coming into your parent’s home to assist with personal care and household tasks. While home care is also a private-pay option, it can be more financially feasible to some because of its flexibility. If your loved one needs help for only part of the day, or if it supplements care from a family member, it can be more financially accessible.
Home health care is an option that some health insurance will cover under certain circumstances. Suppose your loved one’s physician prescribes home health care. In that case, they may receive coverage for medical support in the home, including nursing care, physical therapy, and occupational therapy, based on your loved one’s needs. While on its own, this won’t provide a full care schedule, it can supplement the care provided by others.
Seek respite care and adult day care to supplement family support
Some families may be able to care for their older adult loved ones. An aging parent might live with an adult child in either the child’s home or their own. This situation allows the older adult to age in place in a way that’s more financially feasible. The adult child might also enlist respite support from home care agencies or adult day care programs.
If living together is not an option, building a calendar of home care provided by family and friends could be a solution. An online caregiver calendar tool can help the family create a schedule to ensure that the older adult has someone around to help with different tasks as needed.
Make home modifications to keep the house safe
Sometimes, the home itself makes it difficult for the older adult to age in place. Modifying the home to make it suitable for aging may be an option. Modifications might include significant updates, such as adding a bathroom to the first floor, or small adaptations, like installing grab bars and handrails. While these might be an investment at the time, they may offer more savings in the long run compared to living in an assisted living community. Additionally, some states may offer home modification loan programs to assist people with disabilities in making safety adaptations to their homes.
Consider moving to adult foster care
If remaining in the home or living with family members isn’t an option, consider adult foster care. In adult foster care, the older adult moves into a house with a limited number of residents, typically six or fewer. A caregiver lives in the home, and residents receive meals, activities, assistance with tasks, and transportation. Cost depends on location, but it can be more affordable than assisted living, in addition to being quieter and more homelike.
Get assistance with paying for care
While options can feel limited if your parent can’t afford assisted living, programs may be available to help offset the cost of care — whether at home or at an assisted living community. Below are a few options to explore to help offset the cost of senior care.
Medicaid can pay for long-term care
Medicaid is a health insurance program run jointly by state and federal governments that provides coverage for low-income individuals. Since each state runs its own Medicaid program, coverage will vary, but depending on where you live, Medicaid may pay for certain aspects of assisted living or home care. Note that not all communities accept Medicaid even if the state’s program allows it.
Qualified Veterans can use home care or financial benefits
If your loved one or their spouse served in the military, they may be entitled to Veterans benefits as they age. They may be eligible for VA home care programs or a stipend they can use toward an assisted living community or other types of care. Their eligibility will be determined based on their time in the service as well as their current care and financial needs. To start exploring eligibility for your loved one, connect with their local VA or Veterans Service Officer. Two programs to ask about are the Aid and Attendance benefit and the home health aide program.
Access your local Area Agency on Aging
The Older Americans Act implemented Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) across the country. These AAAs offer a range of services based on the state in which they are located. Through an AAA, your loved one may be able to access home care or adult day care programs. The cost of these programs may be covered based on what the state-subsidized insurance offers. One program to inquire about is the adult foster care program.
Additionally, an AAA can help determine if your loved one lives in the jurisdiction of a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). These programs provide medical care and care services to help support older adults aging in place. This may not be a fit for everyone, but for some, it can make care more financially accessible.
Apply for a caregiver grant
Caregiver grants are often created to provide funds for caregiver respite. Connect with local organizations that provide senior care to discuss potential grant opportunities. Additionally, if your loved one has a specific diagnosis, such as dementia or Parkinson’s, check out those foundation websites to learn about potentially available grants. There are also grants for specific circumstances, such as dementia home care grants given by HFC and the Home Instead network, which offer respite care for a caregiver of someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
If you are worried about the daunting costs of senior care, you’re not alone. Senior care is expensive, and the number of options is overwhelming. Though assisted living can be a good solution for an older adult who needs assistance, for some it is not affordable. Take your time exploring assisted living alternatives and gaining knowledge on what’s available to you and your loved ones. With the right knowledge, you can ensure that even if your parent can’t afford assisted living, they will be cared for and in the right living situation for them.
