Senior Living Communities

Just last year Coeur d’Alene was named one of the top 10 places to retire in America. It was also named one of the most authentic towns in the country. With all the publicity it has received in recent years, it is no wonder that our community continues to be discovered. And it’s not by just young families, but by our seniors as well.

In our own backyard there are a multitude of residential communities for those 55 and older, and understanding their different advantages can be challenging. If you or a loved one are considering a move to a senior living community, the following descriptions will help you find the most appealing and beneficial type for your own lifestyle.

A Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) combines residential accommodations with a continuum of health care services designed to meet all your medical needs, without having to move to another community in the future. CCRC’s must provide a minimum of two types of service: fully independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing or hospice; some offer all of these options.

CCRC residents are charged a “buy-in” or “entrance fee,” which generally ranges from $150,000 to $1,000,000, in addition to continuous monthly payments. Within any CCRC there are three contract types (A, B & C) that reflect whether medical and health care costs are fully covered, partially covered or paid for as needed.

Assisted Living is a residential community that provides housekeeping, social activities and assistance with eating, walking, hygiene, dressing and occasional transportation. Constant nursing care is not provided, but many have Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) on staff. Assisted living prices start at approximately $3,000 per month and will increase based on the care required. Alzheimer’s and dementia care is often provided in a designated area of the community that is specially designed to be safe and secure for those with memory loss.

Skilled Nursing Facilities (nursing homes) provide 24-hour medical care by licensed nurses for both short-term and long-term residents. Specialized Memory Care (for Alzheimer’s and dementia) may be available as well. Prices range from approximately $7,000 to $13,500 per month depending on the level of medical care.

In-Home Care. Some individuals prefer to stay in their own home as long as possible. In-home care organizations provide non-medical assistance with housekeeping, food preparation, dressing and bathing. In-home health care organizations provide medical assistance through nurses, occupational and physical therapists. These services are priced at approximately $25 to $35 per hour.

Adult Family Homes provide 24-hour care for two to six adults in a residential setting. In addition to essential services such as meals and laundry, the staff will create customized care plans for residents that may include stroke, dementia, Alzheimer’s, memory care, diabetic management, medication administration, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy or hospice care. Prices are usually from about $3,000 to $8,000 per month depending on care levels.

There are so many choices throughout North Idaho, and it is wise to spend plenty of time researching which options are best for you or your loved one.

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