The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) defines assisted living as a special combination of housing, supportive services, personalized assistance and health care that supports the needs of those who need help with daily living. In Michigan, where there is no generally accepted definition, assisted living is referred to as Adult Foster Care. If you want an assisted living arrangement in Saginaw, Michigan, you should seek out facilities that practice high standards of operational excellence and maintain active membership with the ALFA.
Assisted Living in Michigan
In Michigan, there are three types of licensed adult care: nursing home, adult foster care (AFC) and home for the aged (HFA). While some facilities may identify themselves as "independent living," they may be unlicensed, according to the State of Michigan. As of 2009, the Michigan Assisted Living Association estimated approximately 10,000 elderly adults lived in assisted living facilities licensed as Adult Foster Care and another 11,000 lived in licensed homes for the aged.
While the task of finding assisted living in Saginaw might seem daunting enough, knowing how to locate the "right" facility and how to begin the process might seem overwhelming. The Saginaw Assisted Living Facilities site maintains a database of more than 300 facilities (see Reference 6). Before you begin the search process, make a checklist of your needs and wants. Then utilize a checklist from ALFA's site before you make inquiries.
Considerations
While individual facilities may only provide assisted-living-type arrangements, an increasing number of corporate-type facilities are offering "continuum of care" campuses. In a campus arrangement, residents can transition from independent living to assisted living to nursing home care without leaving the grounds. In addition, many facilities are unlicensed; unlicensed facilities are not under the same scrutiny to hire licensed nursing staff. In addition to visiting facilities multiple times, you should contact the Michigan State Ombudsman and ask if complaints have been filed against any Adult Day Care facility you are considering.
Features
Adult Foster Care facilities in Michigan must, at a minimum, offer medication management, assistance with Alzheimer's Disease disabilities, social activities or other services as directed in a resident's personal written assessment plan. (See Resource 1.) Facilities, based on size, staffing and what you're able to pay may include additional services such as meals, bathing, dressing, toileting and hygiene assistance, on-call nurses, transportation, laundry and support services.
Costs
Costs vary from one facility to another based on room size, types of services needed and optional special services (laundry or transportation). Most assisted living residences charge month-to-month rates, but a few residences require long-term arrangements. While the national average monthly cost for assisted living was $3,131 in 2009, Michigan's range of costs average $900 to $3,600 per month, with an average monthly cost of $2,400.
Finances and Assistance
According to the site Assisted Living Facilities, Michigan's Medicaid state plan covers only personal services. While Michigan Choice Medicaid Waiver, which covers additional services beyond those that are considered personal, has gone into effect since 2009, it doesn't reach the level of covering continuous care. Much of the financial burden is paid out-of-pocket by residents or their families. Additionally, more seniors are purchasing long-term care insurance to help plan for and finance their long-term care needs. Some agencies, through the Michigan State Ombudsman and local branches of Agency on Aging, may offer assisted living options at lower rates.
References
- MetLife: The 2009 MetLife Market Survey of Nursing Home, Assisted Living, Adult Day Services, and Home Care Costs
- Assisted Living Facilities: Saginaw Michigan Licensed Assisted Living Facilities
- Assisted Living Information: Saginaw Assisted Living
- Michigan Assisted Living: Frequently Asked Questions
- Assisted Living Federation of America: Assisted Living Community Evaluation Checklist
- Assisted Senior Living: Saginaw Michigan
