Comprehensive Senior Living Resources
Financial Support
For many families, one of the first questions about senior living is how to plan for the cost. What fits within your budget? Are there financial resources or benefits you may qualify for? And how does long-term care insurance come into play?
Our team at The Manor at Market Square is here to help you explore those important questions and better understand your options. For more personalized guidance, we encourage connecting with a financial advisor, insurance professional, or your local Veterans Administration office, who can provide details tailored to your situation.
Cost Comparison Worksheet
How much do you currently spend to live in your home? How does that compare to the cost of a senior living community? Most people are aware of what they pay on their mortgage or utilities, but fail to consider all the other expenses they incur living at home.
To help you compare your costs, we’ve provided a handy worksheet.
Download the form below and take it with you when you visit a senior living community.
Long Term Care Insurance
What is long-term care?
Long-term care encompasses the diverse options available to older adults who are no longer able to manage all daily activities on their own. Sometimes a person’s needs may be met in an independent living community, where the primary focus is on community living and social opportunities with the added bonuses of meal preparation, housekeeping, maintenance, and transportation.
Assisted living and personal care communities emphasize socialization and support daily activities (grooming, mobility, etc.) and medication management.
Will my standard health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid pay for long-term care?
Unfortunately, no. Ordinarily, health insurance policies and Medicare usually do not pay for long-term care expenses. Additionally, Heritage Senior Living communities do not accept Medicaid, a federal/state health insurance program.
What will long-term care insurance cover?
Long-term care insurance typically covers the cost of:
- Help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, eating, and cleaning your home.
- Community programs, such as adult day care.
- Assisted living services provided in a special residential setting other than your own home. These services may include meals, health monitoring, and help with daily activities.
- Visiting nurses.
- Care in a nursing home.
What should I be mindful of concerning a long-term care policy?
- Coverage: Some policies pay only for nursing home care or home care. Some provide a mixture of care options, including nursing homes, assisted living communities, and adult day care. Some will pay for a family member or friend to care for you in your home.
- Daily or Monthly Benefit: This is the amount of money the insurance company will pay for each day or month you are covered by the policy. If the cost of care exceeds your daily or monthly benefit, you will need to pay the difference out of your own pocket.
- Benefit Period: This is the length of time you will receive benefits under your policy. You can choose a benefit period that spans two to six years or for the rest of your life.
- Elimination or Waiting Period: There is a waiting period of anywhere from 0 to 100 days. During this time, you must pay all your long-term care expenses out of your own pocket.
- Inflation Protection: Make sure your policy includes inflation protection. There are two types: the right to add coverage at a later date and automatic coverage increases.
Who can help me understand my long-term care policy?
The best resource for understanding your policy is your insurance agent or insurance company. Our team can also review the policy to put the plan in terms you can understand.
VA Aid and Attendance
What is the aid and attendance benefit?
This is a benefit paid to veterans or the spouses of veterans who require the “aid and attendance” of another person for activities of daily living (ADLs) or who are homebound. This benefit is awarded in addition to the veteran’s basic monthly pension.
This Special Pension (part of the VA Improved Pension program) is available to individuals who reside in personal care communities, residential care homes, skilled nursing facilities, and those receiving personal in-home care.
Is the benefit available to all veterans?
The benefit is specifically for veterans who have served during wartime. A Veteran with 90 days of active duty with at least one day during active wartime is eligible for this benefit. A surviving spouse of a war veteran may be eligible if married at the time of death. The individual must qualify on both medical and financial grounds.
How do you apply for the benefit?
Most senior living communities can refer you to a professional who can assist you with completing the necessary documentation. You may also apply by contacting your Regional Veterans Administration Office. To locate the closest regional office to you, visit the VA website.
How long does it take for the benefit to be approved?
On average, it takes 10 to 12 months for benefits to be approved. The good news is that if approved, the benefit is awarded retroactively to the time of application.
If my parents were divorced, is my mother (as a former spouse) eligible for the benefit?
Typically, no. If you have other questions about the Veteran’s Aid and Attendance Benefit, please call us. If we can’t answer your questions, we’ll be sure to connect you to someone who can.
For more information about this benefit, please contact your local Veterans Administration office.
Tax Deductibility for Assisted Living
You, or the person paying for your care, may be eligible for certain deductions on your federal tax return, depending on the type of services and level of care you require.
The IRS allows deductions for the cost of housing and meals if you are receiving long-term care in a home or community for senior living due to chronic illness or the inability to live alone. Personal care residents receiving personal care services may qualify for the deduction.
To qualify, you must require assistance with at least two activities of daily living (such as eating, transferring, bathing, and dressing), and a physician must certify that you have been unable to perform these functions without assistance for at least 90 days.
The same deduction can be used for people who require substantial supervision to maintain their health and safety because of cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
For more information about possible deductions, please consult with a tax adviser.
Where You Live Matters
The American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA) has a helpful compilation of resources available at whereyoulivematters.org.
Choosing a Community
Finding a Reading senior living community can be daunting, but understanding your options and needs can make the process easier. Wondering if now is the right time for senior living? Take our survey below to gain valuable insights.
Active Adult Communities
Active adult communities are designed for older adults who wish to maintain an independent lifestyle while reducing home and yard maintenance. These communities specifically rent to individuals over a certain age, typically 55-60 or older. Housing options usually include apartments, condos, or townhouses. It’s important to note that these communities generally do not provide meal services or structured activities.
Independent Living
Independent living is for older adults who are physically and socially independent. This type of living offers a maintenance-free environment, allowing individuals to truly enjoy their lifestyle. With everything from planned activities and linen service to meals served in a dining room, residents have all they need readily available. Residents can typically choose from multiple floor plans and furnish their apartments with their prized belongings from home.
Residential Care / Assisted Living
Assisted living and personal care are designed for individuals who need help with daily tasks like bathing and medication management. The primary goal of personal care is to help individuals maintain their independence for as long as possible. Accommodation can range from private apartments to shared suites, offering an independent lifestyle with the added security of support.
Skilled Nursing Facilities
Skilled nursing facilities, also known as nursing homes, provide around-the-clock medical care. These facilities offer both short-term rehabilitation and long-term care for individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities. In addition to assistance with daily activities such as bathing and dressing, residents receive attention from trained nursing staff available 24/7. The staff also organizes daily activities tailored to the residents’ abilities.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) or Life Plan Communities are designed for individuals who wish to “age in place” without the disruption of moving between communities as their medical needs evolve. Typically, a CCRC is a single campus offering a full spectrum of care, including independent living, personal care, and skilled nursing services. This model provides seniors with the comfort and security of knowing they can remain in a familiar community, regardless of future health changes.
Once you understand the different types of senior living services, you can identify which community will best suit your needs. To begin your search, explore local options online. Make it a point to visit and tour every community that interests you. Most will invite you for lunch, which is an excellent opportunity to observe the team members, interact with residents, and get a feel for the daily atmosphere. Take your time with this important decision; the goal is to find a new residence where you feel comfortable, secure, and truly at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following list of frequently asked questions about assisted living/personal care, retirement living, and services for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairments may be helpful in making a decision about one of these senior living options for you or your loved one.
Care & Living Options
Are new residents required to pay an entrance fee when moving into a Heritage Senior Living community?
No entrance fee is required. Most Heritage Senior Living communities only require a processing fee, which varies by community. Please contact us for more information.
What is assisted living and personal care, and why might it be a better option than in-home care?
Assisted living, personal care, and in-home care all offer similar non-medical support, including help with daily activities (bathing, grooming, and dressing), transportation, medication reminders, and meal preparation.
Working with a care agency is the best way to find an in-home caregiver, as they handle background checks, insurance, payroll taxes, and ongoing caregiver training—responsibilities that would otherwise fall on the family.
Similarly, assisted living and personal care communities manage these business matters, while also providing opportunities for social engagement.
What is necessary for the care of people with Alzheimer's disease or dementia?
One of the most important aspects in the care of a person with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia is a properly planned environment. Our community has a separate and secure neighborhood for memory care residents.
Though we want all our community space to look nice and feel like home, memory care interior decorating is both a science and an art. It’s important to have bright, warm, and even lighting, as well as carpeting and flooring without busy patterns. Special care and attention are important for residents in memory care. With our specially trained caregivers, we carefully plan our staff-to-resident ratio and activities programs to ensure that residents’ individual needs are met in a structured and secure environment.
Accommodations & Daily Life
Can I bring my own furnishings to my apartment?
Yes! This is your home, and you should have all the comforts and furnishings to which you’re accustomed. Residents enjoy decorating their apartments and entrances to add a unique personality to their homes.
Is there ample privacy in the current accommodations?
The Manor at Market Square offers a variety of floor plans, with private or semiprivate accommodations and attached baths. With the exception of those who live in our secure, memory care neighborhoods, residents have their own keys and may come and go as they please.
What meal programs are available?
The Manor at Market Square’s full-time culinary team members prepare fresh selections daily. Plus, unique dining occasions make mealtime memorable.
What options are there for activities?
The Manor at Market Square has a full-time Resident Life Director who designs and executes a calendar of events that provides residents with plenty of opportunities for cultural entertainment, ongoing learning, spiritual development, creativity, and socialization, seven days a week.
Do Heritage Senior Living communities allow smoking?
We are sensitive to the health needs of all residents, so The Manor at Market Square is a non-smoking community. However, we offer designated areas outside where residents and guests can smoke.
Can I bring my pet?
We know that a pet can be an important member of the family. The Manor at Market Square happily allows residents to keep pets in their apartments for a nominal, one-time fee.
Health & Safety Services
Is there access to an emergency call system?
The Manor at Market Square’s spacious apartments are all equipped with emergency call systems.
Is there access to a full-time, licensed nurse?
The Manor at Market Square employs a full-time, licensed nurse as Resident Services Director, who oversees all aspects of care services, including assessments, medication assistance, and communication with family and physicians.
Is there access to transportation, and is it wheelchair accessible?
The Manor at Market Square offers accessible transportation services and is designed to be wheelchair accessible, ensuring residents with mobility needs can move safely and comfortably throughout the community and to nearby destinations.
Your New Chapter Begins Now
Discover your new home at The Manor at Market Square, a hidden gem where compassionate leaders and qualified caregivers are dedicated to your well-being. We are prepared to support you through every stage of your journey, meeting your evolving needs within one vibrant community.
If this is the future you envision for yourself or your loved one, contact us today. Find out why our community is exactly what your family has been looking for.