If you have a loved one who is a senior in Washington, you may need to start considering the potential for long-term care in a long-term care facility. As loved ones get older, you may not be able to provide the level of care they require, which is where finding affordable long-term care facilities can come in handy. Navigating the complexities around long-term care planning can feel overwhelming, which is why it is essential that you get the help of an attorney who has experience in elder law.
What is a Long-Term Care Facility?
Are you wondering what is considered a long-term care facility in Washington? If so, this is important to understand since there are many different types of care facilities but they do not provide the same things.
Long-term care facilities provide services that are medical and non-medical to people who are unable to do basic daily activities on their own. These activities can include anything from cooking to dressing to maintaining personal hygiene. Long-term care facilities are more catered to seniors but they are also available for people with disabilities.
Some people may need to gradually transition to different types of long-term care facilities as their care needs progress and change over time. This is especially common with seniors who may start out only needing basic care but eventually need more individualized or medical care.
Types of Long-Term Care Facilities in Washington
To find the best long-term care facility in Washington State, you need to identify the different types of long-term care facilities available. This will help you answer the question of what long-term care facilities provide since there are different facilities available for different ranges of care requirements.
Here is a breakdown of the different types of local long-term care facilities you will find in Washington and the types of services and benefits they provide.
Nursing Homes
The cost of long-term care facilities can be quite significant depending on the level of care the individual is receiving. Nursing homes are a good example of this as they usually cater to individuals who need complete care with daily activities and medical needs. This will result in a much higher cost since the residents aren’t generally able to do much on their own.
Nursing homes have a more hospital-like atmosphere where residents may share a room or have it to themselves and receive individualized care from license to caregivers and nurses.
Assisted Living Facilities
If you are looking for long-term care facilities in Eastern Washington, Spokane, or Spokane Valley, an assisted living facility is a great option. This is a long-term care facility designed for individuals who still have a level of independence. Assisted-living facilities provide things like medication management, caregiver support, check-in‘s, and light daily care.
Because the residents of assisted-living facilities still maintain much of their independence, these facilities are usually the most affordable options.
Adult Family Homes
Unlike other long-term care facilities in Washington state, adult family homes are run by licensed caregivers and are in neighborhood-based dwellings. These homes, also called group homes, create a more welcoming atmosphere where residents feel like they are living in a family home, not an actual care facility.
There are also far fewer residents, allowing each person to get the individual care they need. The services provided usually include daily care and some medical services depending on the type of adult family home.
Choosing the Best Long-Term Care Facilities
Now that you know what types of long-term health care facilities are available in Washington, you need to figure out what the best option for your loved one is. This can be a complex process, and you need to evaluate several different factors to create a thorough long-term care plan for the future.
Here is a breakdown of some of the most essential factors you need to consider when looking at long-term care facilities:
- Care requirements: You need to figure out the types of care your loved one requires, and whether or not they can remain somewhat independent. For example, if your loved one needs help with things like cleaning, cooking, and personal care, an assisted living facility may be the right option. However, if they need help with things like bathing and eating, their care requirements may be better suited for a nursing home.
- Type of environment: You want your loved one to live in an environment that is suitable for their care needs and emotional health. Not every facility will provide the same type of environment, which is why you need to actually visit these facilities to get a feel for how they are run and how the residents are treated.
- Cost of care: Each type of long-term health care facility is going to have different price ranges that are also dependent on the level of care your loved one requires. The average monthly cost of long-term care can range anywhere between $3000 to over $6000 depending on the location, the facility, and the type of care your loved one needs.
- Quality of care: Before choosing a facility, you need to thoroughly vet the facility and tour it to ensure your loved one will get the care they require. You want to choose a facility that is clean, professional, and hires the best caregivers and nurses to ensure quality care and good ethics. It can also be helpful to get recommendations from people you know who may have a loved one in a care facility.
If you are in the process of finding the best long-term care facility in Washington, you should also consider hiring an elder law attorney. They can help you with the financial aspect of planning for long-term care, including things like asset protection, Medicaid planning, and advocating for your loved one.
Get in Touch With an Elder Law Attorney Today
To choose the best long-term care facility in Washington, reach out to an experienced elder law attorney at Legacy Law Group in Washington. Contact us today at 509-315-8087 to speak with one of our attorneys to get the process started.
