When looking at options for caring for elderly relatives,
long-term nursing home care is usually very expensive. There are other
alternatives to round the clock nursing care and it is not necessary for
everyone. Assisted living and adult foster care service
massachusetts are both possible options for older adults who can't live
alone any longer.
What Is Adult Foster Care?
There are no rules about what constitutes adult foster care. It
can be as involved as round-the-clock nursing care or as relaxed as
periodically checking on someone. It usually involves helping with daily
living activities. These include bathing, meals, transferring into and out of
the bed or a wheelchair, housework, shopping, cooking, washing clothes and
recreational activities such as going to the movies or visiting the library.
People in adult foster care are often reminded to take medication as well.
Adult foster care is often performed in the person's home, unlike assisted
living care.
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted living facilities provide help with many of the same
activities as adult foster care, except that the person lives in a special home
instead of their own house. The people who live in assisted living are usually
independent and able to do many activities for themselves, but may prefer to
have someone cook for them and do most of the cleaning. Many times people who
live in assisted living homes have cars and can drive, but just need someone to
look in on them from time to time.
What Are the Costs?
Adult foster care, especially if it is in the elderly person's
home, is usually cheaper than assisted living facilities, which are less
expensive than nursing homes. The cost depends upon the level of care
necessary. Many services are covered by Medicare or Medicaid, but policies
differ from state to state.
When people are no longer able to safely live by themselves, it
is sometimes necessary to look at alternatives. Adult foster care is one of
those choices.
