About Christian Assisted Living

Christian Assisted Living and Senior Living

When considering senior living or long term elderly care, the choice of facility often hinges on the level of help a senior requires. Some seniors may still be generally independent while others may need more intensive assistance with daily tasks or medical condition management.

Assisted living is a reliable option for seniors who are seeking help with daily tasks but still are able to maintain a moderate level of independence. Assisted living centers cater to a wide assortment of needs such as those who need diabetic care, have trouble with mobility and seniors who suffer from memory conditions.

When looking for an assisted living facility, it is common to seek one that offers services and amenities that meet the needs of the seniors who will be staying there. While many families or seniors themselves will take medical needs into consideration, spiritual needs are often overlooked. Though assisted living facilities all offer the same basic range of services, there are communities that cater to those of the Christian faith.

Christian assisted living homes are available in most states, and are open to seniors regardless of their faith. If religion is a deciding factor for you or your loved one, a Christian-based assisted living community may be a perfect choice.

Christian Assisted Living Communities - Amenities

Like any senior assisted living facility, Christian-based senior care will offer a basic range of services. Prepared meals served in a communal setting or a senior's private room are standard. Meal options will be on par with those found in traditional assisted living communities including special meal plans for diabetics, vegetarians, and other nutrition-sensitive options. If your loved one has a food allergy, it is a good idea to ask about special dietary arrangements or accommodations to meet their needs.

Assistance with grooming, bathing, and taking medications is also standard in Christian-based assisted living communities. The staff is trained to meet the needs of seniors from all walks of life and those who have varying levels of care needs. Physical activity programs such as age-based exercise classes or even physical therapy sessions are common amenities in Christian-based assisted living communities and traditional assisted living facilities.

Christian-based assisted living communities will have different core values than a traditional senior care home. All senior living homes care for the mental and physical health of their residents, however, Christian-based assisted living communities take this care a step further. Caregivers are usually Christian and fully believe in the love, compassion, and respect that each senior is provided. Along with caring for the needs of the body, Christian-based senior care seeks to care for the soul and mind by offering compassionate care based on faith as well as science. 

Social activities in Christian-based assisted living homes will include religious classes, faith-based study sessions, special date observances such as Christmas and Easter, along with other faith-based social activities for resident seniors. The caregivers believe that they are serving God by serving the residents, and this is shown in every aspect of the care provided.

Depending on the location of the community, there may be a resident pastor or a visiting pastor that makes scheduled visits to the senior community. Many Christian assisted living communities will offer a weekly service for their residents to attend if they choose. Prayer groups, Bible readings, and compassionate visits are also common amenities offered in Christian assisted living locations. Seniors who are in need of spiritual guidance or spiritual counseling are able to find the help they need within their assisted living facility as well. Of course, Christian assisted living homes are open to seniors of all faiths, but it is important to keep in mind that such specialized locations are geared toward providing guided, spiritual support as well as traditional assistance.

Costs Of Living In Christian Assisted Living Communities

When it comes to senior care, the cost involved is based on the level of care needed and the location of the facility. Christian-based assisted living communities will cost more than senior care provided at home, but less than a nursing home. If you or your loved one are in need of specialized care such as those provided for memory care patients, the cost of Christian-based assisted living communities that offer these services will also be higher.

Overall, the cost of living in Christian-based assisted living communities will be less than their traditional counterparts. Regular assisted living communities operate on a for-profit only basis, while Christian-based assisted living communities utilize donations from various churches and charities in the area. These donations will help subsidize the cost of care for all residents in the Christian-based assisted living community. 

The actual location of the Christian-based assisted living communities will also play a big role in the monthly cost of care. Some states are more expensive than others regardless of the type of senior care provided. For example, a two-person room in California based Christian-based assisted living communities will average out to $7,400 a month. The same room in a similar facility in Alaska will cost close to $12,100 monthly. Christian-based assisted living communities will average around 20% less in cost per month than traditional assisted living faculties that offer the same services in each state.

Paying for care at Christian-based assisted living communities is easier than you may realize. Many locations accept various forms of payment such as Medicare, long term care insurance, Medicaid and even private donations. Some seniors may also be able to use veterans’ benefits to help pay for the cost of their care.

The majority of Christian-based assisted living communities are run by Non-profit Christian organizations. Unlike a for-profit company, these facilities are managed by a Board of Directors. Profits earned in the facility are used to pay the staff, maintain the premises, effect upgrades, and improve the overall level of care for the seniors in the facility. In addition, many Christian-based assisted living communities will have outreach programs such as health care workshops and meals for seniors in the area.

How to Find Christian Assisted Living Communities Near You

Choosing an assisted living community is never easy, it is important to find a location that offers the right level of care to meet your needs. Seniors looking for Christian senior living options may have an even harder time looking for a suitable facility if they are not sure where to start looking. The good thing about Christian senior living centers is that they tend to be more affordable than traditional assisted living homes and the facilities are run with Christian ideals in mind.

If you or a loved one are in need of a reliable Christian assisted living facility, there a wealth of resources available to help aid you during your search. Moving into a new home can be stressful, but using your faith as a basis of support is the best way to make the transition easier. There are several things that you should look for when choosing a Christian senior living home, the most important being the care offered followed by the moral and belief system in place at the facility.

You can search online for a list of Christian assisted living facilities in your area. Make a list of locations that follow the Christian lifestyle and check to see if they also offer the services you or your loved one needs. This can be memory care or even care for the vision or hearing impaired. While Christian assisted living may be your preference, it is equally important to finding a location that meets the needs of the body as well as the spirit.

Most Christian assisted living facilities offer quality care for seniors that are based on faith as well as sound training. Although Christian assisted living homes are based on faith, it is important to check the certifications and reputation of the facility. You can find reviews online, and you can also schedule an in-person visit. During your visit, you can speak with current residents while also getting a feel for the atmosphere in the location. It is important to ensure that safety standards and high standards of care are followed even when choosing a Christian assisted living community for your loved one.

Questions to Ask Christian Assisted Living Communities

Growing up and growing old as a Christian can be difficult when you are no longer able to take care of yourself. Moving into an assisted living home often means that you have less mobility and freedom to practice as you did when you were younger. Christian based assisted living communities can greatly help relieve the pressure of growing older while also supporting the beliefs and religious practices of their senior residents.

Many Christians, seniors, and younger people alike live their life by a different set of morals that they would like reflected in their surroundings. For a faith-based assisted living home, these morals will have a large effect on the way the facility is managed. Aside from the very important spiritual side, the physical body also must be attended to in a senior care home. Look for locations that offer quality care, affordable rates and can accommodate any specific health concerns that you may have. There are assisted living homes that are faith-based that cater to seniors with Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Diabetes and more. Some questions you should ask during your visit are:

• What contingency plans are in place for natural disasters?
• Do you offer Bible class?
• Are personal pets allowed? What is the monthly fee?
• Do you have set visiting hours?
• What type of Sunday services is available?
• Do you offer seniors transportation for their medical appointments?
• What type of senior exercise and physical therapy options are available?
• Please inform me about your resident discharge policies.
• How are Christian holidays observed in the community?
• Are residents allowed to invite family or friends for special events?
• Is transportation for outside religious events provided?
• Are there any personal items prohibited?
• How many meals are served each day?
• Are special meals available for diabetics or those with food allergies?
• What are your meal times and snack times?
• Is this a non-smoking facility?
• Do you offer organized social activities for senior residents?
• Is this a sober or alcohol-free community?
• How many staff are assigned to each resident?
• Is internet access available for residents?
• Do you offer care for Alzheimer’s patients?
• How do you care for a resident who suffers a medical emergency?
• Are there options for seniors who need increasing levels of care?
• I have a problem with low vision, can you accommodate me?
• May I see your recent incident reports?
• What payment options are accepted?

These are some of the more important questions you should ask during your visit. If you have other concerns that relate to your specific case, or that of your loved one, during your visit is a great time to bring them up. Every facility will offer a slightly different range of services, so it is important to make sure that your needs will be met before settling on a final location.