Its easy to understand why we have such powerful emotions of fear, uncertainty, and even guilt surrounding this incredibly important decision on behalf of our parent or loved one.At some point in every adult childs life, they need to ask the important question Can my loved one continue to live on their own anymore?Its easy to understand why we have such powerful emotions of fear, uncertainty, and even guilt surrounding this incredibly important decision on behalf of our parent or loved one.Every day, senior living communities work with families just like yours caregivers who need to make the same difficult choices for those they love.Learn more about the key signs of when it is no longer safe for your parent or loved one to live alone and what options are available for the journey ahead..Key Signs Daily Support Is Needed for Aging ParentsIt doesnt matter if youre searching for care for your mom, dad, aunt, uncle, or family friend it can be challenging and a bit daunting if you dont know when its time to talk to your loved one about care or where to turn for answers.In the struggle to know whats best for your aging family member, look out for these warning signs to give you some much needed clarity as you sort through the tough decisions you need to make.It may be helpful to talk through the list with another family member or someone who knows your parent just as well.Here are some signs the your parent should not be living alone:They require help with activities of daily living (ADLs)They have experienced a significant weight loss recentlyThey suffer from a memory loss condition such as Alzheimers diseaseThey are experiencing a general cognitive declineThey have worsening hygieneThere is unopened mail that has piled up or general untidiness around the houseThey suffer physical health issuesThey were recently diagnosed with a mental or physical impairmentWhat to Do When They Cant Live AloneSeeing one or more of the signs above may indicate your parent or family member is struggling to live a safe, healthy, and independent life in his or her own home.If they continue to live on their own, they could face dangers such as accidents, malnutrition, overlooked illness, and financial strain. Social isolation can also be just as dangerous for their emotional wellbeing as well as a physical health problem.If your parent can no longer care for themselves, now is the time to have a discussion about their living situation.While it may not seem like it right now, you have the opportunity to give your mom, dad, or loved one a valuable giftthe gift of helping him or her transition to a lifestyle that will prevent premature decline and provide experiences that are full of life.By looking up this resource, you are taking the first step toward finding clarity on your options, including home caregiving and senior living.Well take a look at your options below:Home Care vs. Senior LivingLuckily today, seniors have many continuums of care and living arrangements available.For example, at-home care allows the senior to live independently at their own home while still helping with items such as household chores, personal care, transportation, cooking, and a variety of therapies. These services can be provided on an hourly, 24/7 live-in, or an as-needed basis.Senior living is another viable option for many people and their families which may offer a higher level of care and more robust social setting.Todays senior living communities are full of vibrant seniors, five-star amenities, delicious food, and daily activities that keep their brains sharp and creativity sharper. Senior living communities arent where aging individuals go to start the end; theyre actually designed to help them start a new beginning in a variety of ways:Independent Living Community This is a community ideal for older adults who seek a social community free of the hassles of home upkeep and chores. They may require little daily assistance but still have quick access to it, should the need arise.Assisted Living Facility This is a long-term care option that provides personalized care, housing, and support for many common activities of daily living, allowing the senior to enjoy an engaging, purposeful life while still remaining as independent as possible.Memory Care This level of care is specifically designed to support and nurture those with Alzheimers and other memory conditions. They provide structured activities, 24-hour supervision, and a calming, secure environment thats easy to navigate.Skilled Nursing Home A skilled nursing care facility is for older adults who require 24-hour supervised health care with a licensed nurse or physician, as well as onsite geriatric care managers and speech, physical, and occupational therapists.In comparing the two options (at home vs. senior community), it all depends on the needs of the individual.When talking about expenses, in particular, a general rule of thumb is that if paid home care is required for more than 40 hours a week, then senior living may be more cost-effective.Furthermore, when you add up all of the costs of living at home (insurance, property taxes, mortgage, utilities, food, home maintenance, etc.) with the high cost of at-home care (compensating the professional caregiver, modifications to make the home more accessible, etc.), you may find senior living to actually be the more affordable option.Many family caregivers are surprised to learn that not only does their parents quality of life improve in a senior living community, but also their own life situations can positively change from the move.Its important to start planning for senior living sooner rather than later as it can lead to a better outcome for everyone involved.Having the Difficult ConversationEven though you may recognize its time for your parent to get help, he or she may not be ready for the transition. You need to purposefully involve them in open, honest conversations.Acknowledge the changes you see in your loved ones life, ask for feedback, talk through what they are thinking and feeling, and finallyexpress both sensitivity and understanding to their situation.While its important to make the best decision for your family member, theres another equally important truth: finding a senior living community is a decision that you and your parent should make together.More than likely, they will have some concerns about losing their independence and the optics of needing senior care; the key isnt to ignore your loved ones objections, but rather provide solid solutions.For instance, if your mother fears that shell be lonely and isolated in her room, find a community with an activity schedule and look over it together. If your father is worried about losing his ability to drive, discuss transportation opportunities available as well as community outings.Dont simply focus on your parents fearsbe sure to talk about practical solutions!Taking tours with them is not only a great way to learn more about the communities, but to also grow closer to your loved one throughout the process.

To see more information about The Auberge at Aspen Park, CLICK HEREAn assisted living facility is a long-term senior living option for older adults who need support with activities of daily living (ADLS), such as personal care, medication management, bathing, dressing, and toileting.Rather than round-the-clock care thoughlike in a nursing home assisted living can help fill in the gaps on an as-needed basis while still allowing the senior to enjoy an independent, engaging, and purposeful life!According to the Genworth Care Survey, the average annual cost of a private one-bedroom in an assisted living community is $51,600, with a daily median rate ranging between $99 to $220 per day (depending on the state).We know that there can be some sticker shock when viewing those numbers, but its important to understand the full scope of service that you receive for the cost. For example, these rates cover housing, personal care services, and overall support for someone who is precious to youand you cant put a price tag on that!Fortunately though, you can still take part in some tax benefits that may be able to offset this bottom line cost. Learn more about this below or speak to a representative at Frontier Management for more information today.Can You Write Off Assisted Living On Your Taxes?Yes, if you live in an assisted living facility, you can generally write off a number of medical expenses included in the fees for assisted living as well as other qualified long-term care services on your taxeswith some qualifications and restrictions, of course.In addition to this, the federal government also recognizes the financial burden on family members who help pay for assisted living for a loved one. That means that if you have a senior dependent in assisted living that is considered a dependent, then you may be able to take this deduction.Or if you contribute more than 10% in support as part of a multiple support agreement that pays 50% or more of the residents support, you may also still be eligible for the deduction.The IRS usually considers a qualifying relative to be a father, mother, grandparent, mother-in-law, father-in-law, stepmother, or stepfather. Here is information about claiming a parent as a dependent.What is the Medical Expense Deduction for 2020?Any qualifying medical expenses that make up more than 7.5% of an individuals adjusted gross income can be deducted from taxes, and you can only claim care expenses that you paid during the 2020 tax year.For example, if your AGI was $50,000 last year, then you can claim the deduction for the amount of medical expenses that exceed $3,750.As this is different than previous years in which the floor was set at 10%, taxpayers should learn more about all of the requirements to qualify for the medical tax deduction in the year 2020.Requirements for Assisted Living Tax DeductibilityTo deduct certain medical expenses, an assisted living resident must meet the following criteria:A licensed health care practitioner, doctor, or nurse must certify that the resident is chronically ill; unable to perform a minimum of two activities of daily living (bathing, continence, dressing, etc.) on their own; or if they need substantial supervision because of dementia, Alzheimers disease, or another severe cognitive impairment for 90 days.A plan of care must be prescribed by a social worker, doctor, or nurse. Most assisted living communities develop a plan of care using medical evaluation from a licensed healthcare provider, a needs assessment, and input from the resident and caregiver.However, even if a resident does not meet the definition of chronic illness, they may still be able to deduct medical expenses, including entrance fees. Assisted Living communities and tax advisors are aware of these deductions and can provide specific information to help you or a loved one.What Assisted Living Expenses are Tax Deductible?Medical expenses generally make up at least a portion of the monthly service and entrance fees at assisted living communities. For some residents, the entire monthly rental fee might be deductible, while for others, only specific personal care services would qualify for a deduction.Although you cant deduct general health expenses, such as health club dues or vitamins, you can deduct many types of professional medical fees. Some common assisted living medical expenses that can be written off include:Prescription drug costs and insulinHealth insurance premiumsMental health expenses, such as the cost of therapyDental expenses, including dentures, fillings, x-rays, and other orthodontic appliancesExpenses incurred due to a medical need, such as travel to medical appointments and parking fees.Assisted Living entrance or initiation fees directly related to medical care, such as care plan development and assessment feesNursing services (even if the person performing the service is not a nurse)Meals and lodging at a hospital if the principal reason for being there is to receive medical care and as long as it costs $50 or less each night for each person

The decision to move a parent into an assisted living community can be hard for any family, but the process is made much easier by keeping some basic steps in mind -- starting with an open conversationMaybe you've recently noticed that your mother or fathers health has started to decline. As a son or daughter, the idea alone is enough to make your heart break. As children, we all hold in common the belief that our parents will live forever. As we get older, we come closer to the inevitable truth that, at some point, we may have to entrust the care of our senior parents to someone other than ourselves.Its an unenviable position. The first thing to remember other than taking a deep breath is that you are not alone. Not by a long shot. According to statistics published by the National Center for Assisted Living, as of 2020, more than 800,000 Americans 93 percent of which are 65 or older live in an assisted living community. Thats a lot of discussions adult children are having with their aging parents similar to the one you may be contemplating right now. Talking to your mother or father (or both) about their declining health should at least kick start the conversation of them benefitting from a higher, more comprehensive level of care than what you are qualified or able to provide.The conversation wont be easy, but were here to make it as stress-free as possible.Start With An Open, Honest Conversation With Your Parents About Assisted LivingReaching a consensus that the best possible situation for your aging parent or parents is an assisted living community requires clear lines of communication. Start this process by finding a quiet place, one free of distractions, to have a frank discussion with your parents that will allow you to clearly make your concerns known.If you have siblings, have them present. Maybe you want to bring in additional family members so they can also reflect your concernsCalmly let them know exactly how youre feeling and why youre having the conversation, but also be prepared for some resistance, even if youre confident they will be open to the idea of long-term care.As is the case with any fruitful conversation, its important to articulate your case and then listen. Write down the potential worries or fears your elderly parent has about moving out of the house and into an unfamiliar environment. This not only lets them know that the discussion is a two-way street, but you can use your notes down the line to potentially qualify some senior living communities over others.Ultimately, youre a son or daughter first, of course, but your secondary role should be one of an advocate.Assess Level Of Care To Determine CostWhat level of care does your parent require?Has the decline in health translated into a need for help with dressing, bathing, or grooming? These activities of daily living commonly referred to as ADLs typically serve as the industry standard to determine whether senior care is best administered in an assisted living setting or a community that provides more of an independent living lifestyle, in which residents enjoy autonomy with little to no supervision from staff.Are there any cognitive functions that need to be monitored?If your parent has been diagnosed with memory impairment, such as Alzheimers or another form of dementia, an assisted living community which has staff who are specifically certified to provide full-time memory care will be well worth the additional cost. This level of care would be similar to a nursing home or skilled nursing community, where caregivers are available 24 hours a day. The rule of thumb is, the more intensive the medical care, the higher the price for the community. And bear in mind that your assessment does not have to be perfect. As we will cover in the next section, there are professionals out there more than willing to help you accurately assess your situation to determine the right level of care and transition into talks about payment, of which there are many options, fortunately.Please see our assisted living payment guide for more information on the various ways you can pay for your parents long-term care.Enlist The Help Of A Senior Living AdvisorSometimes referred to as a senior care advisor or consultant or elder care advisor, this individual exists to play a pivotal role in the selection of the community that will ultimately administer the proper amount of care to your elderly parent or loved one.The primary responsibility of a senior living advisor is to guide individuals and their families through the painstaking and often tedious process of identifying and securing the best possible senior living situation according to needs and budget.Its also important to note that these advisors work for independent advisory firms, meaning they are beholden to no one community or network of communities, thus eliminating all conflicts of interest that could allow prejudice to seep into the decision-making process.Below is a brief list of some of the questions youll want to entrust to a senior living advisor:How much do various assisted living options cost?What forms of financing/payment are available for long-term care services?What senior living community options are near my location?Do any additional care options need to be considered?How do you ensure the safety of senior living communities?Visit A Community Before Making A Financial CommitmentAny time you move into a new home, you first take a tour, right?You inspect the sturdiness of the walls and floors, test the electrical, water, and gas connections, and aimlessly walk around to see if this new environment is somewhere you could see yourself for the foreseeable future.An assisted living community should be no different. This is your parents new home. This is where theyll be meeting new friends and making new memories. Its walls will be vital to their well-being for a number of years. Most importantly, it should fit your parents needs. The transition of downsizing from the place your loved one has called home for decades to a place completely foreign requires some warming up to. Gather brochures from a handful of communities. Browse photo galleries on community websites together. Schedule COVID-era virtual tours of those communities atop your short list, and when youre able, choose a small handful that make your even shorter list for in-person tours.Seeing a community up-close and meeting its staff will not only give you peace of mind, it will make the idea of transition completely less intimidating for your loved one.Prepare For The TransitionYouve had the all-important sit-down. Everyone is on-board with assisted living. The senior care advisor has guided you to the perfect landing spot, and your multiple tours of the retirement community have only reinforced your confidence. Move-in day for your loved one is fast approaching, and so the final planning steps are all thats left.Heres a small checklist of items youll want to cross off to make sure everything is buttoned up in time for the big day:Determine what possessions need to make the trip or be left behind/donatedHire a moving service (off-peak prices tend be offered during autumn months)Organize important financial and health documentation that include the followingBank account informationTax returnsPension documentsDeeds to all owned propertiesTitles to all vehiclesRecords of all loans and debtsPower of attorneyPersonal medical historyLiving willInsurance ID cards (major medical, Medicare, Medicaid)In the end, when it comes to transitioning your loved one from home to an assisted living community for long-term care, the goal is to make sure everyone is happy with the decision and feels good about what the future has in store.