Senior Care in Los Angeles

The need for senior care in Los Angeles has grown along with the population. In fact, it is estimated that the senior population will about double by 2030 from 1.6 million to 3 million. With that in mind, seniors should take steps to plan for senior care.

Planning for Senior Care in Los Angeles

Those who live in the Los Angeles area and elsewhere need to take steps to prepare for their unique senior needs as they get older. These steps should address the financial and physical aspects related to future senior care needs. Financial aspects can be complicated, so talking with a professional financial planner or an elder-law attorney can help maneuver through the legal issues and complicated financial matters. Along with financial advice, they may also be able to help you evaluate and analyze your choices. Equipping yourself with this information and formulating a plan can help thwart frustration, mistakes, and even family conflict.

If you or your loved one are already showing signs that assistance in day-to-day living is needed sooner rather than later, it is also a good idea to get a professional evaluation to determine what type of senior care will best meet your needs now and in the long-term.

Types of Senior Care

The types of senior care available in the Los Angeles are as varied as the people they serve. They fall into a few basic categories: Home care, assisted living, skilled nursing facilities.

Los Angeles Home Health Agencies

If you choose in-home care, family members and friends can provide senior care including assistance with bathing, dressing, preparing meals, light housekeeping, reminders to take medication, and providing transportation to doctor appointments and shopping. However, home health agencies can provide more. Along with respite for family caregivers, home health agencies can provide medical social services, skilled nursing, and can even teach caregivers how to better care for their loved one.

Assisted Living

Assisted living communities provide the same type of help as in-home care, but the services are provided by staff. These communities may be found in a licensed residential home or larger facility, and also provide opportunities for activities and socialization. In most cases, assisted living is paid for from private funds.

Nursing Homes in Los Angeles

Nursing homes are equipped to provide the day-to-day care available at home or through assistant living facilities, but the staff is trained to also provide skilled nursing services to meet medical needs. Financially, a nursing home is often the best choice as skilled nursing facilities are often covered by long-term care insurance and Medicaid, but for Medicaid, it must be a Medicare certified skilled nursing home. Talk with the nursing home to find out whether or not they are certified as you start to research possible facilities. This short list of nursing homes in the Los Angeles area can help you get started.

• Kingsley Manor
• Country Villa Wilshire Nursing
• Amberwood Convalescent Hospital
• Windsor Gardens
• Fountain View Subacute & Nursing
• Lotus Care Center
• New Vista Post Acute Care

Waiting Lists

Due to the number of seniors living in the Los Angeles area, many facilities have a waiting list. If you see the need for senior care in the near future, it is best to get your name on the list. If they have an opening before you are ready to take the step to senior care, you can tell them to keep you on the list for a later date. However, this may mean you will go to the bottom of the list.

Visit the Facility

Before you commit to any senior care facility, make an appointment to visit. Talk with staff and observe how they interact with residents. Make a second visit unannounced and make the same observations. Visiting a facility in this manner can help you make a decision based on the reality of life in the facility.