What are the assisted living care options for seniors with disabilities?
At the Bartram Lakes Assisted Living Facility, we are designed to help those with memory and cognition challenges. In addition to memory care, we are part of the larger Brooks Rehabilitation family with its innovative approaches to rehabilitative care.
At Bartram Lakes, our rooms are well designed to meet the needs of those who are ability challenged. Our rooms can easily accommodate wheelchairs and walkers and have railings and lighting designed to adapt to ability challenges. There is on-site access to rehabilitative services such as occupational and physical therapy.
Benefits of assisted living for wheelchair users
Assisted living facilities provide essential care support and help with mobility to all residents. For those living with a disability, especially those who live alone, this overall attention to critical care needs can help with overall health and well-being.
Licensing requirements for assisted living facilities require them to have adaptive resources for those with disabilities – including those who use walkers and wheelchairs. Wide doorways and large spaces around furniture make it easier for those who are mobility challenged to maneuver around doorways and objects.
Assisted living also can provide more safety features than are found in typical residences such as motion-sensor lighting, 24-hour care monitoring, built-in accessibility aids such as railings and handles, and staff that is trained to help. Costs of providing these adaptations are included in room costs, relieving another headache for disabled seniors.
Adapted and accessible transportation to doctors and other events is usually available through assisted living. Most facilities also offer access to physical and occupational therapies that can improve mobility and quality of life.
Many disabled seniors find themselves isolated in their homes because of limited access to transportation. Assisted living can provide greater social interaction. Accessibility to communal rooms within an assisted living facility enables conversation, participation in events, learning experiences and other activities that enhance senior life.
How disabled and handicapped seniors pay for assisted living
While the costs of assisted living can be overwhelming for seniors, there are some programs to help disabled and handicapped seniors. Here are the most frequently used places to look for help:
- Medicaid offers coverage for the elderly and people with disabilities. Coverage in most states will include some assisted living costs. While it does not pay for room and board, costs of medication administration and other costs can be covered.
- Optional State Supplements (OSS) or State Supplementary Payments, a Social Security program can be used to pay for room and board at an assisted living facility. This program is available to elderly disabled who meet financial eligibility requirements and is an additional amount to traditional Social Security payments. This amount is paid directly to the assisted living facility. Amounts vary from state to state and residents’ income levels but can pay up to $1,000 per month.
- The Congregate Housing Services Program provides state subsidies and support to seniors of low and moderate income. The applicant must already be living in senior housing and need help with daily living activities.
Other resources concerning housing for disabled and handicapped seniors
- The Housing Choice Voucher Program Seniors: Through this program, people with disabilities and low income families can apply for vouchers to afford housing in the private sector.
- The Supportive Housing for the Elderly: This program seeks to expand the low -income housing opportunities for seniors by subsidizing apartment-type living with supportive services such as cooking, housekeeping, and transportation.
- Eldercare Locator: Eldercare agencies in your community, and this website, offer assistance in finding housing options for the elderly.