10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Andalusia, PA

Assisted Living in Andalusia, PA

What Is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is a long-term residential care option. It comes in many styles, from large apartment-type buildings to smaller, group home situations. The purpose of assisted living is to provide help to seniors who are reasonably mobile and independent, they just need assistance with the activities of daily living (ADLs). Perhaps they can’t dress or bathe themselves or need transportation to go grocery shopping. Most assisted living communities provide these basic type of services. Some communities offer tiered services for higher levels of care, but generally, they don’t provide heavy care or memory care unless they have a dedicated memory care unit. Seniors who require those services typically live in a 24-hour skilled nursing community.

What Is Senior Living Like in Andalusia, PA?

Andalusia is in a prime location for retirees. A borough in the town of Bensalem, it’s a small, quiet community of historic homes and single-family residences. Yet it’s proximity to Philadelphia means there is a wealth of things to do to keep a senior active. There is excellent public transportation provided by SEPTA, the Philadelphia public transit service, that runs from Bensalem into center city Philly. This gives seniors quick and easy access to concerts, museums, and historic sites. Of course, they can always take in an Eagles game or watch the 76ers shoot a few hoops, as well.

If traveling into the big city sounds like too much excitement, Andalusia has its own interesting sights. The most notable is the 200 hundred-year-old manor home known as Andalusia. It has extensive, beautiful gardens that delight year ’round. For seniors who enjoy getting outdoors when the weather is fine, there are plenty of open spaces and walking trails along the Delaware River.

One of the best advantages of retiring in this region is the outstanding quality of medical care. Temple University, Jefferson University, and the University of Pennsylvania all have world-class teaching hospitals just down the road. Seniors can get the help they need, should serious problems arise.

What Services Are Available?

Every assisted living community is different and will offer its own package of services. Most provide a basic level of amenities, such as meals, private rooms, and assistance with ADLs. Other services you may see include:

• Visiting specialists, such as podiatrists and therapists
• On-site devotional services
• Incontinence care
• Medicine management
• 24-hour awake staff
• Indoor and outdoor common areas
• Art, music, and exercise classes
• Cats and dogs allowed

Your loved one may be able to go on outings to shopping outlets, movies, plays, or other forms of entertainment, as well.

What Are the Signs It’s Time for Assisted Living?

Deciding when it’s time to look into assisted living for your loved one can be stressful. There are so many emotions involved in the process. Here are a few things to watch for that can help you make an informed decision:

1. People with dementia can become agitated or aggressive. When the caregiver is at risk, it’s a good idea to consider residential care.
2. If your loved one is wandering off, either at home or in public places, he or she will probably be more secure in assisted living. Wandering is unsafe behavior that can result in falls and broken bones.
3. Is your loved one’s home a safe space? Seniors need their homes to be modified for safety as they become more shaky on their feet. Not all homes can be retrofitted, however. In that case, a move to a residential community is probably in order.
4. Asses the stress level of the caregiver. When the physical and emotional demands of caring for your loved one have exceeded the capacity of the caregiver, you should consider assisted living.

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Andalusia, PA?

The monthly cost of assisted living in the city of Bensalem averages $4,019. For the larger metro area, the cost is higher, averaging $4,508. Both of these are higher than the Pennsylvania state average of $3,942. If your loved one needs memory care, you can expect that cost to rise. For seniors who don’t need all the services, it is possible that the cost could be lower.

Does Medicare Pay for Assisted Living?

No, Medicare does not pay for assisted living. Medicare does not pay for any type of long-term residential care for seniors, whether it’s for assisted living or a skilled nursing community. Medicare only covers short-term residential care when it’s a part of post-op therapy or some other similar therapy.

How Can I Afford Assisted Living?

The simplest and easiest way to pay for assisted living is to use savings and retirement funds. If your loved one has a pension, use that to pay for their care. Also, family members can pool resources to help cover the costs. If there aren’t any savings or they aren’t enough, there are other options to consider:

• Long-term care insurance. This type of insurance typically covers the expenses of assisted living. If you are ahead of the situation and are planning for the future, consider making this a part of your and your loved one’s retirement.
• Home Equity. Moving into residential care usually means moving out of a house. When this is the case, the house can be sold and the money put into an account that will pay the costs of the care.
• Veterans’ Benefits. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) has programs that may provide assistance for long-term care for seniors who served in a branch of the military during specific periods of wartime. There are also benefits for qualifying widows of veterans. Contact your local VA office to inquire about these benefits.
• Reverse Mortgage. If you have one family member staying in the home while another goes into assisted living, you can take out a reverse mortgage on the home. This is a loan that taps into the home’s equity and it is paid off when the home is sold.

In addition to finding ways to pay for assisted living, you can look for ways to reduce costs. Look at communities in a different location. Rural is often less expensive than suburban or urban. Compare prices for sharing a room versus a private room. Some communities offer “a la carte” pricing, where you only pay for the services that your loved one uses. Talk to one of our Senior Living Advisors. They can help you understand different pricing structures and which services your loved one will really need.

Assisted Living Inspections and Ratings in Andalusia, PA

Every state has its own policies concerning the inspection and ratings of long-term care communities. It behooves you to know what those policies are and to get a copy of the inspection reports for the communities in which you are interested. You want your loved one to be safe and well-treated, and these reports can tell you a lot about the conditions in a given community.

The state of Pennsylvania has a very transparent policy concerning long-term care inspection and rating reports. You can search for them at the Pennsylvania Human Services Provider Directory. These reports tell you about complaints, violations and resolutions for each community you check. This is one more piece of information to assist you in your decision-making process.

What to Look For When Touring Assisted Living communities

After you’ve narrowed down your list of potential communities, it’s time to tour them to get a good feeling for how they might work for your loved one. Any family members who are a part of the decision should go on the tours, as well as your loved one, if he or she is able. A Place for Mom can schedule the tours for you. Contact one of our Senior Living Advisors to arrange for a convenient time.

While touring each community, take note of the following items:

1. Safety and Security: What are the security policies at night? How would your loved one contact someone for help after hours? Inspect the bathrooms for grab bars and walk-in showers. Ask about any specific medical needs your loved one has.
2. Cleanliness: Are there any strange or unusual smells that are pervasive throughout the community? Check the floors in corners and behind doors for cleanliness. Learn about laundry services and how often housekeeping cleans the private rooms.
3. Meals: Try to time your tour with a meal so you can eat at the community. Learn about meal options and what they do if a resident cannot come to the dining area to eat. Does your loved one like the food? Also, observe how the residents are behaving at mealtime. Are they enjoying it? Meals can be a great time to socialize in a community.
4. Friendliness: Watch the staff as they interact with residents. Are they friendly and respectful? Take note of how they treat each other. You want to see a staff that practices courtesy at all times.
5. Activities: Observe an activity time. Do the residents enjoy participating? Check the activity schedule to make sure that they offer events your loved one would like.

How Do I Make the Right Choice?

Talk to your other family members. Share your concerns with them and get them on board. Talk to your loved one. Discover his or her interests and needs. Then talk to us. A Place for Mom has answers to your toughest questions. We will assist you every step of the way as you and your family make this transition. Our team of advisors are experienced in helping families just like yours find the right place.

Our services are free to you, so don’t go it alone. Take comfort in knowing that A Place for Mom is here for you. We’ve got your back.