Minnesota Assisted Living for Couples

Assisted living in Minnesota for couples

Senior adults have a lot of options available when it comes to retirement living in Minnesota. Retirees can choose senior living communities that offer everything necessary to enjoy their golden years in peace. Assisted living facilities are among the most popular choices, providing senior adults with room and board, as well as access to personal assistance and care. For married couples, this is a great choice, as they are allowed to live together.

How many ALFs are there in Minnesota? In the state of Minnesota, there are over 800 assisted living facilities. These can be found in the following cities: Duluth, St. Cloud, Minneapolis, Rochester, and Mankato. Senior adults can apply for a spot in an ALF, provided they meet the age requirement, which varies between 55 and 62. Seniors must also be able to cover monthly fees, and require assistance with ADLs and personal care.

All residents go through an assessment as part of their residency agreement. Based on this assessment, an individualized service plan is created, which will cover the needs and requirements of each resident. The plan is re-assessed every couple of months, to make sure the original goals are still valid and that the needs of the respective resident are met. If a major health event occurs, a follow-up assessment will be undertaken.

Financing and costs of assisted living in Minnesota

The average monthly cost for assisted living in Minnesota is $4,000. According to recent statistics, this cost is the same as the national median. Compared to neighboring states, such as Wisconsin and Illinois, Minnesota has more affordable rates. On the other hand, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Iowa, offer better rates.

Within the state of Minnesota, the higher monthly rates are located in Minneapolis and Mankato, followed by Duluth. By comparison, St. cloud and Rochester have the most affordable ALFs. From all the available long-term care options, assisted living seems to be the least expensive. In-home care, nursing home care, and memory care cost more. The only exception is independent living, with average costs of $2,200 per month.

It is also possible to apply for the Alternative Care Program, which helps residents pay for long-term care, especially if they do not quality for Medical Assistance. If residents have a low income, they can also pursue the Housing Support Program. Upon their application being accepted, they might receive the necessary funds to cover the room and board in an ALF. Additional ways to cover the costs of assisted living include: life insurance policies, long-term care insurance, veterans benefits, and reverse mortgages.

Services provided to married couples by assisted living facilities in Minnesota

Active retirees, married couples included, have access to a wide range of services on the premises of assisted living facilities. They can enjoy their retirement, while the staff handles complex chores, including housekeeping, laundry and linen washing, and general maintenance. Additional services that might be offered include: Internet and telephone, shopping, errand running, scheduled transportation, meal planning and preparation, 24/7 security.

All residents benefit from personal care and assistance with the activities of daily living, such as bathing, grooming, dressing, eating, and toileting. In some facilities, residents are helped with oral hygiene. Continent care and diabetes care are also available, but not in all ALFs. Often times, less mobile residents are assisted with positioning and transferring. Assistance might be offered with walking and wheelchair use.

Health-related services, such as medication management, are offered as well. Residents might be supervised while taking their medication or the staff will handle this task, should they be unable to do it. Residents might be observed by registered nurses, who might also take care of their specific needs, providing tracheostomy services or managing seizure disorders. Dementia residents have access to all of the above-mentioned services, but they might benefit from more assistance and monitoring. They are usually accepted in facilities that have integrated memory care units.

Amenities for couples moving to an assisted living in Minnesota

Minnesota-based ALFs welcome both married couples and single senior adults. Some of these facilities have apartment-style units, while others offer bedrooms with private bathrooms. All living units are equipped with keyed entries, emergency response systems, bathrooms with accessible features, and a thermostat controlled by the resident. Apartments have fully-functional kitchens with modern appliances. Many ALFs accept pets, but it is a good idea to check the policy first.

The amenities offered on-site target three different areas: physical fitness, mental alertness, and socialization. To stay physically active, residents can visit the swimming pool or gym. They can go on walks or off-site trips. For mental alertness, they can try a course at the learning center, paint, or read. Socialization is possible thanks to the numerous group activities organized, there are plenty of social clubs one can join. Religious services are also organized. Dementia residents can visit the learning center and go on guided walks.