Connecticut has one of the highest costs for nursing home care in the nation. For those who want to enjoy living near family and friends as they age, Assisted Living Services, Inc. encourages older adults to plan now during Long-Term Planning Month in October.
“The ideal age to start planning for your golden years is in your 40’s and 50’s,” said Mario D’Aquila, chief operating officer at award-winning homecare agency Assisted Living Services, Inc. (ALS) in Cheshire and Westport. “Covering the costs of a comfortable living environment should be a key component of any retirement savings plan.”
The purpose of the month-long observance is to raise awareness among senior citizens and their caretakers to understand and prepare for the rising costs of healthcare for adults. Many are unaware that Medicare and most insurance plans do not cover the full cost of long-term non-medical care and assistance for senior citizens and their daily activities.
According to a 2021 State of Connecticut report, the average annual rate of skilled/intermediate service combined is $166,400. Families can also research CT Partnership-approved long-term care insurance policies for those wanting to remain in our state. D’Aquila suggests starting with an online long-term care calculator from AARP or consult your personal insurance agent to determine the best option and policy price.
“It is more economical, and most often preferred, to continue living at home,” explains D’Aquila. “Planning for in-home care can start with a free home assessment from an agency such as ours that will suggest modifications to improve safety and independence, such as adding bathroom grab bars or widening doorways.”
In addition to physical equipment, there are countless electronic devices to monitor and assist with care in conjunction with support from compassionate caregivers. Caregiver duties include Activities of Daily Living and personal care services such as bathing, dressing, transferring, eating, toileting, or shaving. Caregivers can provide care for up to four hours per day all the way up to 24-hour care. Homemaker services include laundry, meal preparation, household/light cleaning, personal care, one-on-one supervision and socialization/companionship.
Families can be also compensated for providing care themselves through the CT Adult Family Living/Foster Caregiver program that pays caregivers a tax-free stipend of over $500 per week who serve as primary in-home caregivers to an elderly individual. ALS is a credentialed provider of the program, offering training and 24-hour support, as well as payment.
“Based on our 25 years of experience, we have created many solutions to mitigate the financial strain of aging in place,” adds D’Aquila. “A little planning now can save a lot of money and stress in the future, while securing a happy retirement.”
About Assisted Living Services, Inc.
Since 1996, award-winning home care agency Assisted Living Services, Inc. (ALS) in Cheshire and Westport has provided quality care to residents across Connecticut. Its unique CarePlus program blends personal care by over 600 employees and caregivers with technological safety and monitoring devices from sister company Assisted Living Technologies, Inc. ALS was ranked on the 2020 Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies and recognized by Home Care Pulse® as a “Best of Home Care Leader In Excellence”, a designation given to the best home care providers in the nation. Learn more by visiting www.assistedlivingct.com or calling 203.634.8668.
