Nurse practitioners to order home health care services.

HR2267 Ordering Home Health Care

AANP
Good News: U.S. Reps. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) and Greg Walden (R-OR) introduced The Home Health Planning Improvement Act (HR 2267) that will authorize nurse practitioners to order home health care services. As you know, nurse practitioners are able to serve as attendings for patients receiving home health care services and they may conduct the required face to face visit that must be made for home health under current law, however a physician must still sign the order for it to be valid. This bill eliminates that requirment. As ou knowwe will need many cosponsors for this bill. Please contact your representative and ask them to be a cosponsor. You may do this directly or through the advocacy on the AANP website. A list of current cosponsors may be seen at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/thomashttp://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/thomas. 
If your legislator is a cosponsor be sure to thank him/her. Question may be directed to Dr. Jan Towers, Director of Federal Health Policy and Professional Affairs, jtowers@aanp.org This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 202-966-6414.

Schwartz and Walden introduce bipartisan legislation to ensure seniors and disabled can access home health services

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) and Greg Walden (R-OR), along with 26 co-sponsors, introduced bipartisan legislation yesterday to ensure that seniors and disabled citizens have timely access to home health services under Medicare.
The Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act, H.R. 2267 will allow physician assistants (PA), nurse practitioners (NP), clinical nurse specialists and certified nurse midwives to order home health services for Medicare beneficiaries. Schwartz introduced similar legislation in the last two Congresses.
Currently, Medicare recognizes NP's and PA's as authorized providers who are able to order nursing home care for Medicare beneficiaries. However, they are not able to order less costly and less intrusive home care services. Even in states that have explicitly expanded their laws to allow other medical providers to order home care, Medicare will still not certify payment for these services until a physician signs the order.
Those seniors and disabled citizens who see these medical professionals as their primary care providers often need an extra office visit with an unknown physician in order to get the care they need. This legislation will relieve that burden for our most vulnerable citizens.
"We have a responsibility to provide America's seniors with high quality health care, and a key part of that is ensuring they have timely access to home health care services," Schwartz said. "These valued health care professionals play a central role in the delivery of primary care, particularly in medically underserved areas, and are essential to the coordination of team-based care."
"This bill will reduce unnecessary and duplicative burdens on providers and seniors in need of home health services," Walden said. "Particularly in rural areas like central, southern, and eastern Oregon where physicians are scarce, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical nurse specialists, and certified nurse-midwives are essential components of the health care delivery system. Not only are they serving on the front lines of primary care, but also in many areas they are the only option readily available."
"This bill will eliminate barriers that currently exist to home health care services for the patients that urgently need them," said Susan Schrand, MSN, CRNP and executive director of the Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners. "Nurse practitioners care for thousands of patients across Pennsylvania and the nation each day, and are highly qualified to make this determination."
"This legislation is long overdue and welcome news for thousands of nurses who have had expanded roles in the care of Medicare patients, but who have had their hands tied by CMS in their ability to certify home health services for patients," said Val J. Halamandaris, president of the National Association for Home Care and Hospice. "This legislation will ensure that important care to these Medicare beneficiaries is not interrupted."
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Health Care Centers

1. Visit a community health center At the 9,000 state- and federally supported public community health centers, no one is turned away because of insurance status or inability to pay. The centers now treat more than 22 million Americans, many of them solidly middle class, and that number is expected to jump another 10 million by 2015, as the ACA ramps up. A survey from the National Association of Community Health Centers found that visits to public health centers by the uninsured increased 21 percent between 2008 and 2009. "Many people didn't know that these centers exist," says Amy Simmons Farber of the NACHC. "Once they go, they are often surprised at the quality of care they get." Health Care Savings •Uninsured and need medical care? A community clinic can help •How to lower out-of-pocket medical costs •7 medical treatments you may not need Indeed, a 2012 study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that public health centers equaled or exceeded the standard of care offered by private practices. Health center patients pay on a sliding income scale. At the HealthWorks for Northern Virginia facility in Leesburg, for example, people with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level ($47,100 for a family of four in 2013; roughly half of that for an individual) average $20 to $30 for a doctor visit. Medicare beneficiaries have no copay for annual wellness visits and many preventive services. Older patients can also get low-cost prescriptions.

Americans in denial about long-term care

MSN Hotmail More Bing ▾ Account ▾ . . . By Jennifer Agiesta and Lauran Neergaard, Associated Press We're in denial: Americans underestimate their chances of needing long-term care as they get older — and are taking few steps to get ready. A new poll examined how people 40 and over are preparing for this difficult and often pricey reality of aging, and found two-thirds say they've done little to no planning. In fact, 3 in 10 would rather not think about getting older at all. Only a quarter predict it's very likely that they'll need help getting around or caring for themselves during their senior years, according to the poll by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. That's a surprise considering the poll found more than half of the 40-plus crowd already have been caregivers for an impaired relative or friend — seeing from the other side the kind of assistance they, too, may need later on. "I didn't think I was old. I still don't think I'm old," explained retired schoolteacher Malinda Bowman, 60, of Laura, Ohio. Bowman has been a caregiver twice, first for her grandmother. Then after her father died in 2006, Bowman moved in with her mother, caring for her until her death in January. Yet Bowman has made few plans for herself. "I guess I was focused on caring for my grandmother and mom and dad, so I didn't really think about myself," she said. "Everything we had was devoted to taking care of them." The poll found most people expect family to step up if they need long-term care — even though 6 in 10 haven't talked with loved ones about the possibility and how they'd like it to work. Bowman said she's healthy now but expects to need help someday from her two grown sons. Last month, prompted by a brother's fall and blood clot, she began the conversation by telling her youngest son about her living will and life insurance policy. "I need to plan eventually," she acknowledged. Those family conversations are crucial: Even if they want to help, do your relatives have the time, money and knowhow? What starts as driving Dad to the doctor or picking up his groceries gradually can turn into feeding and bathing him, maybe even doing tasks once left to nurses such as giving injections or cleaning open wounds. If loved ones can't do all that, can they afford to hire help? What if you no longer can live alone? "The expectation that your family is going to be there when you need them often doesn't mean they understand the full extent of what the job of caregiving will be," Susan Reinhard, a nurse who directs AARP's Public Policy Institute, said. "Your survey is pointing out a problem for not just people approaching the need for long-term care, but for family members who will be expected to take on the huge responsibility of providing care." Those who have been through the experience of receiving care are less apt to say they can rely on their families in times of need, the poll found. With a rapidly aging population, more families will be facing those responsibilities. Government figures show nearly 7 in 10 Americans will need long-term care at some point after they reach age 65, whether it's from a relative, a home health aide, assisted living or a nursing home. On average, they'll need that care for three years. Despite the "it won't happen to me" reaction, the AP-NORC Center poll found half of those surveyed think just about everyone will need some assistance at some point. There are widespread misperceptions about how much care costs and who will pay for it. Nearly 60 percent of those surveyed underestimated the cost of a nursing home, which averages more than $6,700 a month. Medicare doesn't pay for the most common types of long-term care. Yet 37 percent of those surveyed mistakenly think it will pay for a nursing home and even more expect it to cover a home health aide when that's only approved under certain conditions. The harsh reality: Medicaid, the federal-state program for the poor, is the main payer of long-term care in the U.S., and to qualify seniors must have spent most of their savings and assets. But fewer than half of those polled think they'll ever need Medicaid — even though only a third are setting aside money for later care, and just 27 percent are confident they'll have the financial resources they'll need. In Cottage Grove, Ore., Police Chief Mike Grover, 64, says his retirement plan means he could afford a nursing home. And like 47 percent of those polled, he's created an advance directive, a legal document outlining what medical care he'd want if he couldn't communicate. Otherwise, Grover said he hasn't thought much about his future care needs. He knows caregiving is difficult, as he and his brother are caring for their 85-year-old mother. Still, "until I cross that bridge, I don't know what I would do. I hope that my kids and wife will pick the right thing," he said. "It depends on my physical condition, because I do not want to be a burden to my children." The AP-NORC Center poll found widespread support for tax breaks to encourage saving for long-term care, and about half favor the government establishing a voluntary long-term care insurance program. An Obama administration attempt to create such a program ended in 2011 because it was too costly. The older they get, the more preparations people take. Just 8 percent of 40- to 54-year-olds have done much planning for long-term care, compared with 30 percent of those 65 or older, the poll found. Mary Pastrano, 74, of Port Orchard, Wash., has planned extensively for her future health care. She has lupus, heart problems and other conditions, and now uses a wheelchair. She also remembers her family's financial struggles after her own father died when she was a child. "I don't want people to stand around and wring their hands and wonder, 'What would Mom think was the best?'" said Pastrano, who has discussed her insurance policies, living will and care preferences with her husband and children. Still, Pastrano wishes she and her husband had started saving earlier, during their working years. "You never know how soon you're going to be down," she said. "That's what older people have a problem understanding: You can be in your 60s and then next flat on your back. You think you're invincible, until you can't walk." The AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey was conducted Feb. 21 through March 27, with funding from the SCAN Foundation. The SCAN Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization that supports research and other initiatives on aging and health care. The nationally representative poll involved landline and cellphone interviews with 1,019 Americans age 40 or older. It has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4.1 percentage point Related: •Few seniors prepared for long-term illness •Boomers not aging gracefully •Managing aging parents from afar .199comments Explore related topics: insurance, aging, long-term-care 2011 NBCNews.com TODAY Nightly News Rock Center Meet the Press Dateline msnbc Breaking News Newsvine Home US World Politics Business Sports Entertainment Health Tech & science Travel Local Weather Advertise | AdChoices Recommended: Gut bugs linked to heart attacks, strokes Recommended: Government issues first safety rules for nano-dust Recommended: FDA device will screen for fake medicines overseas Recommended: Celebrity chef recipes not necessarily so good for you One body. One mind. That's what each of us gets to last a lifetime. Get the critical news and views to keep yours healthy, sharp -- and safe. ↓ About this blog ↓ Archives E-mail updates Follow on Twitter Subscribe to RSS . 199comments Print 264 8 hours ago Americans in denial about long-term care By Jennifer Agiesta and Lauran Neergaard, Associated Press We're in denial: Americans underestimate their chances of needing long-term care as they get older — and are taking few steps to get ready. A new poll examined how people 40 and over are preparing for this difficult and often pricey reality of aging, and found two-thirds say they've done little to no planning. In fact, 3 in 10 would rather not think about getting older at all. Only a quarter predict it's very likely that they'll need help getting around or caring for themselves during their senior years, according to the poll by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. That's a surprise considering the poll found more than half of the 40-plus crowd already have been caregivers for an impaired relative or friend — seeing from the other side the kind of assistance they, too, may need later on. "I didn't think I was old. I still don't think I'm old," explained retired schoolteacher Malinda Bowman, 60, of Laura, Ohio. Bowman has been a caregiver twice, first for her grandmother. Then after her father died in 2006, Bowman moved in with her mother, caring for her until her death in January. Yet Bowman has made few plans for herself. "I guess I was focused on caring for my grandmother and mom and dad, so I didn't really think about myself," she said. "Everything we had was devoted to taking care of them." The poll found most people expect family to step up if they need long-term care — even though 6 in 10 haven't talked with loved ones about the possibility and how they'd like it to work. Bowman said she's healthy now but expects to need help someday from her two grown sons. Last month, prompted by a brother's fall and blood clot, she began the conversation by telling her youngest son about her living will and life insurance policy. "I need to plan eventually," she acknowledged. Those family conversations are crucial: Even if they want to help, do your relatives have the time, money and knowhow? What starts as driving Dad to the doctor or picking up his groceries gradually can turn into feeding and bathing him, maybe even doing tasks once left to nurses such as giving injections or cleaning open wounds. If loved ones can't do all that, can they afford to hire help? What if you no longer can live alone? "The expectation that your family is going to be there when you need them often doesn't mean they understand the full extent of what the job of caregiving will be," Susan Reinhard, a nurse who directs AARP's Public Policy Institute, said. "Your survey is pointing out a problem for not just people approaching the need for long-term care, but for family members who will be expected to take on the huge responsibility of providing care." Those who have been through the experience of receiving care are less apt to say they can rely on their families in times of need, the poll found. With a rapidly aging population, more families will be facing those responsibilities. Government figures show nearly 7 in 10 Americans will need long-term care at some point after they reach age 65, whether it's from a relative, a home health aide, assisted living or a nursing home. On average, they'll need that care for three years. Despite the "it won't happen to me" reaction, the AP-NORC Center poll found half of those surveyed think just about everyone will need some assistance at some point. There are widespread misperceptions about how much care costs and who will pay for it. Nearly 60 percent of those surveyed underestimated the cost of a nursing home, which averages more than $6,700 a month. Medicare doesn't pay for the most common types of long-term care. Yet 37 percent of those surveyed mistakenly think it will pay for a nursing home and even more expect it to cover a home health aide when that's only approved under certain conditions. The harsh reality: Medicaid, the federal-state program for the poor, is the main payer of long-term care in the U.S., and to qualify seniors must have spent most of their savings and assets. But fewer than half of those polled think they'll ever need Medicaid — even though only a third are setting aside money for later care, and just 27 percent are confident they'll have the financial resources they'll need. In Cottage Grove, Ore., Police Chief Mike Grover, 64, says his retirement plan means he could afford a nursing home. And like 47 percent of those polled, he's created an advance directive, a legal document outlining what medical care he'd want if he couldn't communicate. Otherwise, Grover said he hasn't thought much about his future care needs. He knows caregiving is difficult, as he and his brother are caring for their 85-year-old mother. Still, "until I cross that bridge, I don't know what I would do. I hope that my kids and wife will pick the right thing," he said. "It depends on my physical condition, because I do not want to be a burden to my children." The AP-NORC Center poll found widespread support for tax breaks to encourage saving for long-term care, and about half favor the government establishing a voluntary long-term care insurance program. An Obama administration attempt to create such a program ended in 2011 because it was too costly. The older they get, the more preparations people take. Just 8 percent of 40- to 54-year-olds have done much planning for long-term care, compared with 30 percent of those 65 or older, the poll found. Mary Pastrano, 74, of Port Orchard, Wash., has planned extensively for her future health care. She has lupus, heart problems and other conditions, and now uses a wheelchair. She also remembers her family's financial struggles after her own father died when she was a child. "I don't want people to stand around and wring their hands and wonder, 'What would Mom think was the best?'" said Pastrano, who has discussed her insurance policies, living will and care preferences with her husband and children. Still, Pastrano wishes she and her husband had started saving earlier, during their working years. "You never know how soon you're going to be down," she said. "That's what older people have a problem understanding: You can be in your 60s and then next flat on your back. You think you're invincible, until you can't walk." The AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey was conducted Feb. 21 through March 27, with funding from the SCAN Foundation. The SCAN Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization that supports research and other initiatives on aging and health care. The nationally representative poll involved landline and cellphone interviews with 1,019 Americans age 40 or older. It has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4.1 percentage point Related: •Few seniors prepared for long-term illness •Boomers not aging gracefully •Managing aging parents from afar .199comments Explore related topics: insurance, aging, long-term-care More from NBCNews.com Shakira sued for $100 million by ex-boyfriend Old Faithful's underground cavern discovered Preventing aging from the inside out Sharon Osbourne 'devastated' by Ozzy Osbourne's drug relapse MDs warn teens: Don't take the cinnamon challenge The children of killers: 'There are wounds you can never heal' From around the web The frightening connection between hearing and falling (hi HealthInnovations) The Benefits of Vinegar for your Skin (HealthCentral.com) 13 Things a Debt Collector Won't Tell You (Reader's Digest) Why Long-Married Couples Split (AARP.org) 13 Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder: Are You Bipolar? (ActiveBeat) 4 Oatmeal Nutrition Facts You Need to Know (Lifescript.com) [?] . older newer Most popular posts Most popular posts 848 US hospitals send hundreds of immigrants back home 1 day ago 166 The children of killers: 'There are wounds you can never heal' 1 day ago 424 Bloomberg wants to raise age limit for buying cigarettes 2 days ago 102 Dozens of patients of Oklahoma dentist test positive for hepatitis 6 days ago 65 Study: Chicken, ground beef are riskiest meats 1 day ago. Browse featured, cdc, fda, cancer, fungal-meningitis, food-safety, salmonella, childrens-health, health-care, womens-health, health, obesity, mental-health, hiv, aids, necc, heart-health, sexual-health, pregnancy, bird-flu, aging, flu, behavior, alzheimers, vaccines, breast-cancer, smoking, birth-control, diabetes, meningitis, recall, health-insurance, autism, obamacare, china, influenza, psychology, whooping-cough, sleep, children, heart-disease, mens-health .. Advertise | AdChoices .. Archives 2013April (94) March (126) February (107) January (111) 2012 2011 Most Commented US hospitals send hundreds of immigrants back home (848) Bloomberg wants to raise age limit for buying cigarettes (424) The children of killers: 'There are wounds you can never heal' (166) Americans in denial about long-term care (199) Marijuana pill may be better for relieving pain (193) MDs warn teens: Don't take the cinnamon challenge (113) Dozens of patients of Oklahoma dentist test positive for hepatitis (102) Other blogs The Body Odd Cosmic Log Red Tape Chronicles PhotoBlog Gadgetbox Technolog US News Open Channel InGame top stories 'Strong like cement': Boston attack scene paved over NYPD: Suspect says brothers were headed to NY to party As she weighs a presidential bid, Clinton set to cash in As Bush returns to spotlight, legacy takes shape Americans in denial about long-term care Economy pacing itself after getting out of the gate fast New, high-tech $100 bill coming in October SpaceX founder gives warp drive a boost F-bomb anchor: Watching viral clip 'was gut-wrenching' President Obama: At times, Michelle has felt like a single mom © 2013 NBCNews.comHealth on NBCNews.com About us Contact Help Site map Careers Closed captioning Terms & Conditions Privacy policy Advertise

Adult Day Care Center

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search An Adult Day Care Center, also commonly known as adult day services, is a non-residential facility that supports the health, nutritional, social support, and daily living needs of adults in professionally staffed, group settings.[1] Adult day services centers serve as an emerging provider of transitional care and short-term rehabilitation following hospital discharge. Most centers operate 10 – 12 hours per day and provide meals, meaningful activities, and general supervision. Operations in adult daycare centers are often referred to as social models (focusing on socialization and prevention services) and/or a medical model (including skilled assessment, treatment and rehabilitation goals). Day care centers may focus on providing care only for persons with a specific chronic condition such as Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, or their services may be available for any adult with disabilities. Many centers maintain a nurse on-site and devote a room for participants to have vital signs checked, and receive other health services from a medical assistant/nurse when needed. They may also provide transportation and personal care as well as support groups for caregivers. According to the 2010 MetLife National Study of Adult Day Services, there is one direct care worker for every six participants, facilitating individualized, person-centered care and enabling staff to care for increasingly complex needs.[2] Nearly 80% of adult day centers have a nurse on staff, nearly 50% have a social worker on staff, and approzimately 60% offer case management services.[3] Participation in adult day centers may prevent re-hospitalizations and may delay admission to residential long-term care. For participants who would otherwise stay at home alone, the social stimulation and recreational activities may improve or maintain physical and cognitive function. For caregivers, adult day centers provide respite care, enabling caregivers to work or to have a break from their caregiving responsibilities.[4] More than 5,000 adult day centers are operating in the United States providing care for more than 260,000 older Americans each day.[5] Almost three-quarters of all adult day centers (71%) are operated as nonprofit organizations, and 16% are affiliated with the public sector.[6] Daily fees for services are almost always less than a home health visit and about half the cost of a skilled nursing facility. Daily fees for adult day services vary depending upon the services provided. Average daily fees across the country are approximately $62.[7] Funding for adult day services comes from participant fees, third party insurance, and public and philanthropic

Home & Community Care Services Fastest Growing Senior Care Segment

Jason Oliva | January 9, 2013 | Comments (0) As the “baby boom” generation approaches retirement, the demand for senior care services will rise and will drive industry revenue, according to a study from Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based market research firm. Revenues for senior care services are expected to grow 5.2% annually and reach $319.5 billion through 2016, according to the Freedonia Group’s Elder Care Services report. While skilled nursing facilities accounted for the largest share of senior care revenues in 2011 with 43%, home- and community-based services, such as home healthcare and assisted living, are expected to achieve the fastest growth. Advances for these services will be driven by continued efforts to draw Medicaid payments away from skilled nursing, says the report, often by limiting reimbursements or directing patients to less expensive forms of care. Despite the general consensus that many Americans will want to age at home, the study suggests revenues for continuing care will experience strong growth given an upturn in the housing market. Increased progress toward recovery for the housing industry will encourage older Americans to sell their homes, which they can use the proceeds to pay for steep entry fees associated with continuing care communities. Additionally, for-profit entities accounted for 66% of elder care services in 2011, which the study notes benefitted from dominance in the skilled nursing segment and its leading positions in the home health and assisted living markets. On the other hand, nonprofits accounted for the larger share of revenue in both the continuing care and social services markets. Access the report here. Written by Jason Oliva Rate This

Compomise???

Democrats, a more moderate and diverse party, believe in compromise far more than Republicans do. While polls find that six in 10 Democrats regard themselves as moderate or conservative, nearly three-quarters of Republicans say they are conservative. And tea-party Republicans, who loom so large in primaries, are especially averse to giving any ground. Moreover, Democrats still have a positive view of government and regard trade-offs between taxes and spending as a normal part of governing. Republicans care most about reducing government’s size and in cutting taxes. They’re prepared to accept standoffs and crises to reach those goals.

Questions and Answers About Independent Living

By Marlo Sollitto, August 14, 2012 What exactly is Independent Living? Independent Living, also called a retirement community -is for people who are able to live on their own but do not want to maintain a home. Find an Independent Living Community » Independent living is simply any housing arrangement designed exclusively for seniors, generally those aged 55 and over. Housing varies widely, from apartment-style living to free-standing homes. In some, cases, the senior purchases a single-family home, and enjoys the benefits of living in neighborhoods and communities designed to be friendlier to older adults, often more compact, with easier navigation and yard maintenance and housekeeping. Independent living gives elders the chance to participate in community life, pursue activities based entirely on their interests and preferences and dine at restaurants if they don't want to cook. Independent living is for older people looking to connect with peers and enjoy an active lifestyle free from concerns about home ownership, e.g. landscaping, maintenance, security, etc. However, Independent Living does not provide medical care, or nursing staff. A senior can choose to hire home care, if it is needed, but home care is not an included component of Independent Living. What's the difference between Independent Living, Assisted Living and other senior living options? The key difference between Independent Living and other housing options is the level of assistance offered for daily living activities and health care. If your loved one requires round-the-clock help with eating, dressing, and using the toilet, or requires regular medical assistance, other housing options such as assisted living facilities or nursing homes may be a better fit. Practical needs to consider might include: •Transportation. Do they plan to continue driving? What are the options in their area if they need to stop driving at some point? •Finances. Do they have the income to cover their needs, including in-home care if they could use it? •Health care. Do they live near their doctors and a hospital? What do they plan to do if they have a medical problem on the weekend or on a holiday? •Household maintenance. Which tasks can they still handle, and which do they need help with? Who is available -- volunteer or professional -- to help out? •Cognitive ability. Does the elder show any slight signs of dementia? How will the family (and the community staff) know if mom or dad can live safely in Independent Living? The determination depends on the person's ability to manage tasks and activities that are usually necessary in daily life. These tasks include the activities of daily living (ADLs), which refer to basic self-care such as dressing and getting around the house, as well as instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), which are more mentally complex skills such as managing grocery shopping and finances. Any community you select should conduct a thorough functional assessment before your parent moves in. This in-person assessment can help professionals do the following: •Diagnose and stage cognitive problems, such as Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia •Identify the impact of worsening physical diseases, such as heart failure and COPD •Diagnose delirium, a state of acute mental confusion that can be the only outward sign of a life-threatening illness •Figure out what kinds of services or other assistance an older person needs in order to safely live in Independent Living What if mom or dad needs some help? Does that rule out Independent Living? Needing some extra help doesn't rule out Independent Living – but it will likely up the price. Some elders who live in Independent Living hire in-home care. In-home care options run the gamut from basic services such as housekeeping and meal delivery all the way to daily nurse and medical services. It all depends on the person's ability to manage tasks and activities that are usually necessary in daily life. But extra help does mean more money. In addition to any monthly fees charged by the community, the home care agency will charge its own, separate fees. Some communities even have on-site home care which the elder can hire. What's the cost? The cost of independent-living varies widely, depending on what's offered and where. Options range from small rental units with few extra services, available for $1,500 per month in some states, all the way to retirement communities that offer homes or townhouses to buy for hundreds of thousands of dollars. At any one particular place, the cost may also vary depending on the size of the living unit and the services provided. What's the payment structure? There are two common models for paying for Independent Living. In the first, residents pay a monthly rental fee. That fee may include a package of services, such as meals, housekeeping, transportation, utilities, etc. Or, those services are available on an a la carte basis in addition to the monthly rental fee. Sometimes, seniors can purchase a condo, villa -- or even a single family home with a garage, yard or perhaps a pool -- in a planned community. The community charges a monthly fee, similar to that in a condo community. Again, depending on the community that fee may or may not include services like meals and housekeeping. Does Medicare cover the cost of Independent Living communities? Medicare does not cover the cost of Independent Living. Long-term care insurance with home care benefits can sometimes contribute to overall independent living costs, as can a life insurance policy. But many families have to get creative in using family assets to pay for an independent-living community What happens as mom or dad ages and needs more care? When you start your search, be sure to look into independent-living facilities that are connected to an assisted-living facility, which would allow your loved one to move to a higher level of care (at higher cost) while remaining in a comfortable, familiar setting, if and when independent living isn't possible anymore. What should I look for in an Independent Living community? When you tour the campus, notice what kinds of activities the residents are involved in, and check the walls to see what other recreations are posted. Ask for an opportunity to enjoy a meal on-campus — and spend that time interacting with other residents and asking questions about the menu. If your parent plans to spend a lot of time outside of their home, look at the community areas, game rooms, coffee shop, and fitness center. Find out about emergency medical services, transportation and home care options. Also drive or stroll around the neighborhood where the community is located, to make sure the library, post office, and other establishments are convenient.extunderstanding Senior Housing Options Read more about: independent living transition, parents remaining independent