Assisted living facilities are an ideal option for seniors that are looking to receive a measure of aid in order to go about their day to day living. The scope of this particular service is pretty wide, as it can stretch from preparing daily meals and helping them take medication to driving them around to handle various errands during the day. It should also be noted that these special services are not just reserved for those that need help completing various activities for daily living. Indeed, assisted living is a terrific option for those that want a break from having to handle home maintenance and would prefer to spend more time on enjoying the leisurely life of a retiree.

Why Choose VeteranAid.org

• Learn About How Much You Are Eligible For & How to Apply
• Get Reviews, Costs, & Availability For Eligible Care Communities Near You.
• Our Service is 100% Free To Veterans & Their Families

The cost of assisted living in Oklahoma City

Assisted living in Oklahoma City checks in below the national average. The 2015 Genworth Cost of Care Survey lists the average annual cost to be $39,915, which is far below the U.S. average of $43,200. On a per month basis, this annual figure breaks down to $3,326 per month. If you look at things from a daily rate, the cost hovers around $109 per day.

Assisted living is lower than the average range for home health care in Oklahoma City, which ranges from $43,426 per year for homemaker services and $46,057 for home health aide services. Assisted living is also substantially less expensive on average than nursing home care in Oklahoma City; the average cost for semi-private nursing home care in Oklahoma City is $54,750 per year, and the average cost for a private room is $67,160 per year.

For qualified veterans and their spouses, further assisted living savings may be obtainable via the Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit, which can otherwise be known as the A&A Pension Benefit. This special benefit can provide a veteran up to $1,788 per month, a surviving spouse up to $1,149 per month, or a couple up to $2,120 per month. Furthermore, a veteran with a sick spouse that applies for the program is eligible to receive up to $1,406 per month. The process to qualify for the A&A Pension Benefit is relatively simple.

Eligible veterans or surviving spouses of eligible veterans must show the need for help with activities for daily living, otherwise known as ADLs. Some of these activities include bathing, cooking, dressing, medication management, leaving the house for errands and appointments, and grooming. With that being said, seniors do not need to demonstrate that they need help for all of these activities. Aid and Attendance funds can assist in paying for ADL services in numerous places, such as an assisted living community, skilled nursing home, or within the confines of the senior’s own home. For those that are interested, it should be noted that the application process could take several months from beginning to end, but retroactive payments are sent upon the program’s approval.

What can you expect?

Many assisted living facilities offer the same basic services, but beyond that, the communities are quite different. Aside from having their own culture and personality, veterans can expect to find different a la carte options available to them at each location. Veterans and their families should visit each community they are considering to get a feel for how things are done there, and to make sure they fully understand what to expect on a daily basis.

What’s included in assisted living?

There are some standard options included with each resident's monthly fee, and these are typically the same across the board. The most common of these services includes:

• A private studio or one-bedroom apartment.
• Emergency call systems in each room.
• 24-hour security – always on-site, but sometimes there is also a gated community.
• Housekeeping and laundry services.
• Utilities such as electric, water, and natural gas.
• Daily meals and snacks – all typically served restaurant style in the main dining area.
• Medication management, including refill reminders.
• Wellness and fitness programs based on individual likes and preferences.
• Social and recreational activities.
• Transportation to and from grocery stores, spas and salons, and retail shops.
• Religious and spiritual services.

What may be available for an extra fee?

Some communities may also offer additional on-site perks that residents can pay extra to utilize. Typically, these perks can include private transportation, personal laundry service, beauty salon services, and massage sessions.

The continuum-of-care option

Additionally, many seniors look for an assisted living service known as a continuum of care, which essentially describes a facility that can provide accommodation for residents regardless of what their specific need may be. Residents in these particular communities typically don’t have to deal with as many big moves should their health or daily needs shift, and they will also remain in a familiar setting even if their health dictates that they have to move to a different building within the facility’s complex. Prices on continuum of care do fluctuate based on the actual service that is needed.

Resources, volunteer opportunities and points of interest for veterans

Oklahoma City is dedicated to making sure veterans have access to information that can help them, and there are several resources in the city that accomplish that goal. Oklahoma City has Warriors of Freedom to help veterans in need. This organization maintains a directory of resources on their website for veterans and their families to utilize, and one of its main focuses is finding grants and scholarships that help veterans and their families in various ways.

The VA office in Oklahoma City is always looking for volunteers to help mentor and guide other volunteers, so for those who want to help out, that would be a great place to start. From there, Oklahoma has a volunteer match website that surveys a person's interests and then gives them suggestions on where they could donate their time. The website is www.volunteermatch.org.

There aren't any famous military points of interest in Oklahoma City. The most popular tourist destination is the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum, which veterans may be able to identify with in a personal way, especially if they've lost loved ones to violence. It's a beautiful tribute to the fallen, but it is a solemn setting. Aside from the memorial, visitors and veterans alike can visit the zoo, the botanical gardens, and the Museum of Art if they're interested.