Nebraska Adult Care Homes: How to pay for, Laws and Regulations and Questions to ask…
Nebraska is one of the most affordable states to live in. The economy is growing and the quality of life is high. Residents of Nebraska are happy and enjoy the beautiful views offered by the one of a kind landscapes. Nebraska is home to a plethora of museums for visitors and residents alike to visit. Nebraska is also known for affordable healthcare, which is a bonus for aging adults in the state. Nearly 17% of the state’s 1.9 million residents are aged 65 and older. It is common that when people think of senior care they envision a nursing home. However, nursing homes are definitely not the only option when it comes to simplifying life and caring for a loved one. Nebraska adult care homes or adult foster care, are an excellent housing option for some aging adults because they offer private residencies in a home-like environment.
Nebraska is home to several cities where seniors may receive excellent health care: Omaha, Kearney, Nebraska City, Lincoln, Columbus, among many others.
Adult care homes in Nebraska
Adult care homes, or sometimes known as Adult Foster Care (AFCs) in Nebraska provide room and board for aging adults. The Care Home provider will typically provide meals, housekeeping, and limited activities. Unlike a nursing home, residents will generally require light assistance. Caregivers may generally perform simple functions, assisting with ADLs, like personal hygiene and mobility and eating and dressing and toileting and behavior management. Other individuals may be more dependent with several care needs, in which case a nursing home or higher level of care is more ideal. There are always other excellent care options aside from a nursing home.
Other terms you may hear aside from adult care homes in Nebraska
Adult care homes in Nebraska are may commonly be called adult foster care, and they are found in normal residential neighborhoods. You may drive past a residential care home each day on your commute. As you look for adult foster care in your community, it is good to know the other terms/names you may hear:
- Residential living care
- Adult foster home
- Adult care home
- Residential care facility
- Care Home
- Adult family home
- Board and care home
What care and support do Adult Care Homes in Nebraska provide?
Similar to a nursing home, residents in Nebraska adult care homes receive 24-hour care, but all in a single-family environment. Additionally, each home has an operator who may employ additional caregivers to support with the care of residents.
Caregivers in adult care homes may assist with activities of daily living
Housekeeping, grooming, eating, dressing, toileting, mobility.
in addition, some adult care homes may offer other services or amenities
- Personal care
- Activities
- Group meals
- Behavior management
- Personal hygiene
- Cognitive support and redirection
Laws and regulations in Nebraska
Licensing
Adult care homes are licensed by the Nebraska Department of Social Services.
Staffing
Direct care staff may assist with activities of daily living (ADLs). Any staff who administers medication must be a trained medication aide. Direct care staff must complete an orientation as well as ongoing training.
Food and diet
Adult care homes are required to provide three nutritious meals per day, while making snacks available between meals.
What are the costs of a Nebraska adult care home?
The cost of adult care homes will vary depending depending on where you are looking within the state. Assisted living in Nebraska costs less than the national average. Costs will fluctuate depending on which city you choose to live in within the state, but can vary dramatically depending on several factors, ie. required assistance, the location of the home, etc. Expect to pay between $3,000 per month to $5,500 per month in Nebraska. Contact homes and agencies you are interested in and ask about direct costs for your loved one.
How to pay for adult care homes in Nebraska
You want to consider your payment options for assisted living, memory care, and care homes. For these services, Medicare is NOT an option for payment.
The most common payment for these services would be out of pocket Private Pay and assessing a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
Medicaid can also be an option, be sure to see if you or a loved one qualifies.
Long-Term Care insurance is also a possible option in cases of chronic conditions, be sure to see if you or a loved one qualifies.
For our Veterans and spouses of veterans, be sure to assess Veteran Aid and your eligibility for these benefits.
Medicare – NO:
- Medicare does NOT pay for Assisted Living.
- People 65 years and older and individuals with end stage renal disease are eligible for Medicare benefits, no matter their income.
- Coverage is meant for people in need of short-term care.
Private pay – YES:
- Many families pay for assisted living with private funds.
- Private pay can be a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
- Family members may contribute funds to pay for assisted living or other senior housing and care.
Medicaid – MAYBE:
- Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of Americans. Eligible participants include: low-income adults, elderly adults and people with disabilities.
- Medicaid is administered by state, according to federal requirements. The program is funded jointly by each state and the federal government.
- Every state has their own individual Medicaid assistance program.
- National guidelines are in place do decipher how states must spend Medicaid money, but with allowances toward the guidelines.
- The state determines what levels of care will be covered by Medicaid, who is eligible, and how much the state will reimburse the care community.
- If you are unsure whether you qualify for Medicaid, you should apply. You may be eligible depending on your household income, family size, age, disability and other factors.
Long-term Care Insurance – MAYBE:
Long term care insurance is a great way to pay for assisted living, and planning ahead is important when considering how to pay for senior housing and care. Nearly 75% of people over the age of 65 will require long-term care and services at some point. Buying into long-term care insurance when a person is in their 50s and 60s is the most common time to do so.
- Long-term care insurance helps cover the costs of chronic medical conditions.
- Individuals and couples with the ability to pay into long-term care insurance have the advantage of a head start in allocating funds for senior care.
Veteran Aid and Assistance – MAYBE:
This benefit is available to some military veterans and surviving spouses who live in an assisted living community and those who have in-home care.
- There are specific guidelines, but a veteran may qualify for as much as $2,050 each month.
- A veteran with a sick spouse may be eligible for $1,600 per month.
- If a veteran has passed, their surviving spouse can qualify for $1,300 per month.
Questions to Ask
Finding an assisted living community, can be overwhelming. Here are some tips on things to be observant of:
Resources and links related to Senior Living and Care
Eldercare Locator is a nationwide service that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Connect with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver education or respite from caregiving responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.
Medicare provides a search feature to find & compare providers near you, most senior housing and care providers are included on CareAvailability.com. Find & compare plans in your area. Determine if you qualify for premium savings
Medicaid offers information on how to apply for Medicaid, eligibility criteria, links to local state offices, and additional resources.
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease, information and resources are available.
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