Assisted Living Facilities In Indiana

With over 400 assisted living communities established throughout the state of Indiana, seniors who need help completing activities of daily living will have no trouble finding assisted living homes that address their needs.

Aging loved ones who are experiencing increasing difficulty preparing meals, remembering to take medication, or have mobility issues will significantly improve their quality of life and mental health by transitioning to an assisted living facility.

Keep reading to learn why assisted living may be right for your loved one, and what to expect from one of these homes in Indiana.

What Is Assisted Living for Seniors?

Assisted living services in Indiana are designed for seniors who do not have a chronic condition that prevents them from living semi-independently. A typical assisted living resident is capable of getting dressed, making coffee, and performing light household tasks. But, due to simple aging, they may tire out quickly and need a little extra help throughout the day.

In addition to ensuring residents receive nutritious meals, scheduled medication, and transportation services, assisted senior living also provides help with personal care tasks when necessary, as well as onsite barbershops and beauty salons for weekly styling.

Assisted living communities for aging adults have a warm, open feel with opportunities for socializing always available. Residents live in one-bedroom apartments or in spacious rooms where communal areas offer meals, activities, and much more.

Living quarters are often equipped with emergency alert buttons that residents can activate whenever they need help with a daily task or feel ill. Experienced staff members respond to alerts any time of the day, so your aging loved one is never without immediate help.

Do Assisted Living Homes in Indiana Offer Memory Care Services?

Assisted living does not provide memory care services. Memory care communities are specifically designed to ensure people with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or other severe cognitive issues are monitored 24/7 in secured, residential units. Seniors living in assisted living communities can come and go as they please and live independently from community staff and medical personnel.

Some Indiana assisted living services may offer memory care and assisted living on the same campus. This makes transitioning less unsettling for seniors who have symptoms of early dementia and can still live independently with some assistance. When their dementia progresses to the moderate stage, they transition to the memory care unit but remain in the same community.

What Social Opportunities Are Provided at Assisted Living Homes in Indiana?

Many studies have shown that engaging in regular social activities is just as beneficial to a senior’s overall well-being as physical activities. The best assisted living facilities in Indiana will provide a wide variety of on-campus social opportunities that include but are not limited to:

  • educational classes about senior mental and physical health, learning how to use a computer, and other interesting subjects
  • scheduled off-campus activities such as visiting museums, shopping malls, or local events
  • swimming and aerobic classes
  • game rooms for playing cards or pool
  • onsite dining areas and cafes

Different senior assisted living communities in Indiana offer a diverse selection of social activities and amenities. If you are searching for assisted living for an aging loved one, browse the community’s website for a specific list of activities and services.

Specialized Services at Assisted Living Homes in Indiana

Some assisted living homes provide more expansive, specialized care services for seniors with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other progressive chronic conditions. While they will cost more than standard assisted living, aging loved ones may need extra supervision due to their specific health problem.

Each Indiana assisted living facility offers different levels of care that remain above the level needed by nursing home residents. For more information about what kind of specialized services an assisted living community provides, contact the community directly.

Assisted Living Vs. Nursing Homes

Seniors recovering from surgery and requiring skilled nursing care comprise the majority of residents in nursing homes. Many rely on wheelchairs or walkers for mobility during their recovery.

Occupational, physical, and speech therapy are offered at nursing homes for adults recovering from strokes and other neurological conditions. Nursing homes are staffed by LPNs and STNAs who provide wound care, IV medicine administration, respiratory treatment, and nutritional guidance.

Nursing homes generally do not have planned activities simply because people in nursing homes are physically or cognitively unable to make excursions. The primary goal of nursing homes is to treat adults for specific health problems under 24/7 monitoring and care.

Assisted living homes, however, provide a lower level of care and are best suited for aging adults who could benefit from additional care, but don’t require full-time supervision and treatment.

Assisted Living Cost in Indiana

An online review of the cost of assisted living in Indiana indicates the average is around $4,000 to $4,300 per month. However, remember that not all assisted living facilities charge this amount, depending on the amenities offered and, in some cases, the location of the community.

This monthly payment includes all living expenses, meals, maintenance, and other amenities provided by the assisted living community. Residents pay for clothing, household, and personal items. They will also have co-pays to pay for doctor’s appointments and prescriptions, depending on their health insurance policy.

Is There Free Assisted Living in Indiana?

Although Medicaid doesn’t pay for assisted senior living in Indiana, the Department of Health has a waiver program that is designed to provide financial assistance for elderly and/or disabled individuals who need the level of care offered by nursing homes.

The Indiana Aged & Disabled Medicaid Waiver pays for aging loved ones admitted to specific assisted living facilities that are approved by the Medicaid insurance program. If you or your loved one are interested in receiving help from Indiana’s waiver program, be aware that the program is limited to 13,000 recipients. Currently, you can expect to wait five years before being accepted into the program.

Other ways to pay for assisted living services include the following:

  • Life insurance policies (some may provide financial assistance even if a spouse is still living)
  • Veteran’s benefits (the U.S. Veterans Administration offers multiple pension programs to help cover most or all of assisted living costs.
  • Long-term healthcare insurance
  • Taking out a reverse mortgage on a home (seniors can take advantage of a federally insured reverse mortgage program offered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)

When Is it Time for Assisted Living?

Assisted living communities provide services that allow seniors to continue living as independently as possible. They are not nursing homes and do not restrict an aging loved one’s freedom to enjoy life to the fullest. However, it may be time to transition to residential assisted living if your loved one:

  • can no longer drive due to physical or cognitive issues
  • experiences difficulty maintaining personal hygiene and completing household chores
  • eats snacks or microwave dinners instead of making nutritious meals
  • sometimes forgets to take medication on time
  • is alone and isolated most of the time
  • has fallen in their home more than once and was unable to call for help immediately

Find an Assisted Living Home in Indiana

If you or an aging loved one has made the decision to take advantage of the many wonderful amenities and services an assisted living community has to offer, use our directory to help you find the right community.

Take time to browse hundreds of different assisted living facilities in Indiana. You will find a home that can give your loved one the best quality of life possible during their aging years.

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Written by: Aging with Care Editorial Staff

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