Is someone you love considering “an assisted living facility?”
Business Week states today, that you will likely find most assisted living facilities in more affluent (ie, wealthy) places across America. And why is this? Because for the most part, the services are private pay and are not covered by Medicare or Medicaid.
According to the article, “In 2007, there were 11,276 assisted living facilities with a total of 839,746 residential units in the United States… Connecticut, Hawaii and West Virginia had fewer than 10 assisted living facilities per 1,000 elderly residents, while Minnesota, Oregon and Virginia had more than 40 facilities per 1,000 older Americans, according to the study.”
Wow Virginia, aren’t we lucky? So many Assisted Living Facilities to provide for our needs.
Well, I don’t think we are all that lucky.
That means thousands of Virginians are paying for care, from a facility that under Virginia law, is not a health care facility. This means, they have NO legal obligation to provide health care services.
And out of these facilities, how many are FOR PROFIT?
In Roanoke, we have a total of 17 assisted living facilities. 12 of them are FOR PROFIT.
And the State has an obligation to license them, as “adult care” facilities.
Want to learn more about a Virginia facility before you decide to call it home?
Check out the latest inspections online at http://www.dss.virginia.gov/facility/search/alf.cgi
You might be glad you looked before you committed to one!