Anyone considering care needs for themselves or a loved one will have heard of a number of options, including care homes, sheltered accommodation and assisted living facilities. Assisted living provides a greater level of care than sheltered accommodation, although not as much as a care home.
Features of Assisted Living
Assisted living facilities provide accommodation where the resident lives in their own self-contained flat, but staff are available to help with tasks such as medication, washing and dressing.
Facilities often include communal lounges to facilitate socialising. If working in this type of facility or any other form of care work interests you, find out what jobs are available in your area. To find out more, a relevant internet search, such as care assistant jobs Galway, will show you vacancies, including https://www.caremark.ie/job-opportunities/care-assistant-jobs-galway/.
Costs
The costs associated with assisted living vary. In some cases, residents buy their accommodation, allowing them to possess an asset that they can leave to their families. As these are usually on a leasehold, you will likely still need to pay ground rent as well as other fees such as a service charge, charges for care provided and the usual utility bills. You should also check what restrictions or exit fees you have to pay if or when the accommodation is sold.
If you rent your assisted living accommodation, there will be similar fees on top of the rent. If costs are an issue, find out if you qualify for assistance such as pension credit, housing benefit or the council paying some or all of your care costs.
