Hi Everyone,
Yesterday I got a walk in at work and then in the evening I did Jessica Smith's Walk On (dock setting) Latin Dance Walk. These are more fast paced than I remember! Either that or I am slower....probably the latter.
This morning I did Gina B's Dance That Walk Circuit # 2- Upper Body Circuit and i added on a stretch from Gina B's You Tube Channel. If time permits I'll get the Essentrics workout in later, but if not, I'll just be behind a day!
My DD doesn't have school today but I scheduled her for doctor's appointments so I'll be busy running around with that.
wishiwasinhawaii - for good or bad I have learned a lot about senior living and assisted living/nursing homes! There are age restricted communities - that is where my mom lives now - it is basically an apartment complex for people over a certain age. There are no services per se although there is an office and they do plan activities for the residents like bingo, movie nights, parties, etc. There is also a bus service available 4 days a week that takes them out to grocery stores, banks, shopping, etc. and they do have day trips occasionally. But the residents are responsible for their own apartments, meals, etc. Then there are places where they have a continuum of care - there is independent living, assisted living, memory care and nursing care. Some of these places come with a meal plan for those living independently. I looked at one of those places for my mom - she would have her own apartment and would be responsible for it - but there is a meal service where you get breakfast and dinner in a dining room setting - which is good for socialization. Depending on the stage you are in for assisted living, I think even the folks in assisted living eat in the dining room. They also have social activities, trips, buses, etc. Then there is assisted living where you have differing levels of assistance depending on your needs - such as dressing, grooming, cleaning, medication management, etc. And, finally there is nursing care for those who are essentially unable to do most things for themselves. And, of course, memory care for those with alzheimers/dementia. Independent living in a senior community is the cheapest option since there are no services being provided. The next level up would be the independent living with meals and that is more expensive - the place I looked at for that was $2,500-$3,000 per month depending on the size of your apartment (I don't recall if that included utilities). Up from there is assisted living and the price around here varies on that depending on the amount of assistance provided, whether you are in a single or double room, etc. The places I looked at around here started at the $3,000+/month range for a shared room with limited assistance and went up to something like, I kid you not, $87,000 per year for great deal of assistance! Then, there is nursing home care and that is outrageously expensive - Medicare and any private insurance you have pays for it for a limited time - I believe Medicare pays 100% for 20 days and then they pay 80% and your private insurance picks up the balance - if you have insurance - it has to be medically necessary that you be there - but they only pay for a certain number of days (I think 90) and then you are on your own - doing self-pay until you run out of money at which point you go on Medicaid and they pick up the tab. But, it has to be medically necessary that you be there to have Medicaid pay. Medicare/Medicaid does not pay for assisted living at all. So, it is a grim situation for people who are not aging well - the costs of these places will quickly dry up your savings and if you own a home Medicaid will put a lien on it and re-coup the money when the house is sold. I am hesitant to have my mother go to assisted living just yet b/c her money will run out all the faster - and once it is gone I don't know what happens if she is not ready for a nursing home that Medicare/Medicaid would pay for. Getting in home help is an option but the hourly rates add up quickly and some places have a minimum number of hours per day/per week and sometimes you have to be careful who you hire - we know of a woman who was robbed 2X by two different care givers -
One thing i would suggest is that your friend find an elder care attorney - there are ways to set up trusts, etc. that will protect the assets of the person and also enable them to be eligible for Medicaid sooner. Medicaid has a five year look back - so you really have to plan ahead - essentially if you go through the trouble and expense of setting up these trusts, you have to pray that your loved one does not need to go on Medicaid for 5 years b/c if they do, the "jig is up" so to speak and they will get your money.
All very sad for those who are not aging well and those who are left to care for them. I know I could not take on having my mom live with me - it would be a disaster - so I feel like I'm between a rock and hard place in figuring out what to do. Realistically, with a job and a family, I really can't be running to her place all the time either to help her with stuff. I do what I can - but it is probably not enough. But, I also can't sacrifice my own health and sanity and my family life for it either. So.Ugh.
Sorry to write a book!
Donna