Hi Buttercup, living arrangements are a consideration with DM/PM. I moved back home with my mother two years after my DM diagnosis. My mother is retired and I do think it is a good idea that I am also around for her too.

My opinion about assisted living is they will take the money you have in order to pay for your care. It might be beneficial if you like the arrangements. I would study the situation carefully. If you are independent enough to live with a family member then that might be a better financial arrangement. You would be able to make decisions for yourself in many respects too. If you are not ready to give up your personal choices and independence to the call of someone else then I would hold off on the assisted living.

There is also the issue of theft that can occur in an assisted living arrangement. Make sure anything of value like credit cards and monies, etc.. are left in the hands of family and not at the location where you will be living.

My grandparents had a nice independent living arrangement in Deltona, Florida. They were close to the grocery store, and a nurse would come by to check on my grandfather. My grandparents still had their car. I remember visiting my grandparents and I had the biggest laugh...My grandfather was the retired Superintendent of Overhaul and Head Mechanic for Eastern Airlines (over 40 years with Eastern and he worked for Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker.) My grandfather at age 88 popped open the hood of his little Chevy Cavalier. I started the engine, and my grandfather's little Chevy made the ground vibrate and it had a roar that sounded like my dad's Corvette! Grandpa could "fix" and turbo charge ANYTHING! It was very funny too! I was also very impressed. Grandpa also continued to smoke his cigars and drink his beer. The living situation was not assisted living but an independent living where they still had many personal freedoms.

You could look into some of the independent living arrangements in Florida. There are many places that will gradually move seniors from independent to assisted then to the nursing home by the families directives. You want a situation where your loved ones will be in control too. Do your homework carefully.

On the state benefits, ask a lot of questions. The new healthcare of 2014 has a lot of new stipulations that catch many people unaware. Ask about who pays the uncovered costs of care too.

Consider things carefully. Good luck with your choices too. I will put in some prayers that The Lord guides and helps in your situation too.

I think it could be a huge benefit if you no longer feel like you can live on your own and you need help with meals and such. I assume I will be in one at some point in my life. My biggest stopper is the cost. My Father was just in one temporarily to help recover from surgery. He said it was $800 a day. Most insurance (including Medicare) will not cover it.

My Father had a room with a small sink, dorm size fridge and microwave. It was similar to a hotel room.

Please let us know what you figure out.

Hi Friends...Meow,

I don't qualify for Assisted Living yet. In Indiana, you must need daily nursing care for everything: Getting out of bed, washing, bathroom, taking meds, and getting back into bed for the night. I am too healthy, I was told by the case manager.

In my town, we have 1 Medicaid Center. The rest are private pay. So, when I get bad enough to need nursing care, I will be able to go to the Medicaid center. Right now, I'll continue to live with my widowed mom. She only needs to help me wash my backside in the shower right now. When I need more help, I'm to call the state agency and reapply for assisted living..

Thanks for all your advice and encouragement.

Purr,
=^.,.^=.

I believe the cost is a lot more than the average person can afford and living in Florida, I read some horror stories in the newspaper. There were a series of articles ran recently regarding some assisted living and other facilities that were owned by foreigners who brought them just for the money they could make and the type of people they would leave in charge overnight and on weekends when they thought no one would be around. They showed people being abused and on drugs, as well as the facilities being nasty and tiny rooms for the price people were paying. Consider possibly moving in with someone who is willing to accept addt income for you staying there.