Offering resources, insights and services to help seniors save will help your residential assisted living business thrive.
Everyone loves saving time and money, and the people that bring these opportunities to you are usually thought of fondly. This can be another way your residents will appreciate and rave about your care for them.
Many resources and services are far too expensive for individuals on fixed income and oftentimes difficult to find.
When assisted living homes identify affordable services and resources, seniors show an extreme sense of appreciation by spreading the word about your business. Word of mouth is the most reliable source of marketing. More importantly, supporting seniors on their journey with things like free and discounted resources helps foster loyalty and trust with your business.
This blog article will highlight 11 resources for seniors.
11 FREE AND DISCOUNTED SERVICES FOR SENIORS
Numerous resources exist, but they are confusing to apply for or in many cases unheard of. Contact your area agency on aging to start your search for senior assistance.
The following is a list of useful and affordable products and services in addition to a roadmap for navigating a host of services.
- Benefits Checkup and Application Assistance
How much have you wrestled with trying to identify the type of benefits seniors in your residential assisted living home are entitled to? Many caregivers are unaware of free benefits counseling offered by regional aging agencies. These organizations have insight to point seniors in the right direction regarding health insurance coverage, nutritional assistance, income assistance and more. The National Counseling on Aging provides an online benefits checkup at no cost, visit www.benefitscheckup.org for more information and application assistance.
- Dental Care for Medicaid Recipients
Most dentists avoid Medicaid recipients because government reimbursement is extremely slow, and the billing process can be even more complicated. Each state has a health department that can aid seniors in locating dentists that can provide qualified services. In addition, the American Dental Association has a website to help seniors locate a dentist. Visit www.FindADentist.ada.org to tailor your search, payment methods and various factors associated with dentists that accept Medicaid patients. Due to the limited number of dentists that accept Medicaid payments, oftentimes distant traveling may be involved.
- Free Dentures
Low-income seniors frequently qualify for one free set of dentures through various programs.
Contact the following resources for additional information and referrals:
- Local aging agency
- State-based dental association
- Nearby dental colleges
- Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs
State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs) offer extra savings on drug costs for Medicare Part D in the following states:
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Maine
- Missouri
- Montana
- North Carolina
- New Jersey
- Nevada
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Texas
- Virginia
- Vermont
- Wisconsin
Income and residency requirements, coverage details, and copay amounts vary from state to state – contact your state’s department of health for details.
- Prescription Drug Discounts
Even with Medicare Part D and SPAPs, many seniors still cannot afford their medications. Select pharmaceutical companies offer patient assistance programs to uninsured, underinsured and low-income seniors. You can find a comprehensive list of these programs on the Medicine Assistance Tool website.
- Retail Store Discounts
Countless retailers offer senior discount shopping. Visit Retail Store Discounts for an exhaustive guide to stores that offer discounts. All stores that offer discounts do not appear on this list, ask the store cashier about senior discounts prior to making a purchase.
- Free Phone for Hearing Impaired Individuals
CaptionCall is a service funded by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that provides free captioned telephones and captioning services to those with hearing loss. CaptionCall also offers a free mobile app through the Apple App Store that allows users to receive captioned phone calls on an iPhone or iPad.
- Free Hearing Aids
Free and discounted new and refurbished hearing aids are frequently offered through the following organizations:
- Local Lions Club chapters
- Manufacturer clinical trials of new hearing aids
- Free Legal Help
Many seniors and their caregivers need legal guidance with assistance to a variety responsibility:
- Estate planning
- Power of attorney documents
- Drafting letters to creditors
- Medicaid applications, and more
Free and discounted legal help is available through local aging agencies, regional law schools, pro bono work from bar associations, and other complimentary attorney services. Former military personnel can get some help from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Also, the Legal Services Corporation specifically assists low-income individuals with legal matters. You can also check you local trust services.
- Medical Alert Systems
Medical alert devices are invaluable to seniors. Alert devices allow for independence and peace of mind.
Easy push button devices allow seniors to summon help when or if medical emergencies occur. These discrete devices can be worn as wristbands, pendants and other options. When residents in assisted living hit that button, a response team of trained, competent professionals should be prepared to help.
AARP members, veterans, and seniors with certain insurance carriers get discounts on medical alert systems from certain providers.
- Discounted Mobility Devices
Thrift stores are a great way to secure discounted mobility devices. Walkers and rollators can be quite expensive, and every discount helps. Free mobility aids are sometimes offered by local non-profit organizations. Hospitals and nursing homes periodically dispose of reliable, slightly used equipment at affordable prices.
HOW TO HELP SENIORS WITH THE SUPPORT THEY NEED
Visit www.RALNA.org to learn more about how owning and operating a successful assisted living home has everything to do with quality senior care.
Membership with the Residential Assisted Living National Association will empower your business with the support needed from blogs, legal support, group discount purchasing and so much more.
Helping seniors get the most out of life is one of the perks of operating a residential assisted living home.
In order to stay up to date on ways to help seniors with resources and quality care, considering registering for a free membership with the Residential Assisted Living National Association.
