Indiana, the Hoosier State, is known as the crossroads of America. There are all sorts of fun and exciting things to do, along with a rich heritage and plenty of history to learn about and explore. There’s a speedway for the adrenaline junkies, a great children’s museum for the grand kids to experience, the Conner Prairie history park to learn about the past, and so much more.

Quick Facts about Indiana

• The average cost of assisted living in Indiana is $3,825 per month as per aPlaceforMom. Of course, those numbers are always skewed by the higher-end and specialty facilities, so don’t worry if you’re looking for something more affordable, there are plenty of options.
• There are hundreds of different facilities to choose from, while not as many as some States, it can still feel like an overwhelming choice. We’re here to help you learn the basics, what to look for and what to keep an eye out for. Choosing the perfect facility is an important task, or at least finding the one that is the best fit for you or your loved ones.
• It’s a smaller state, ranked 38^th in overall area, but 17^th when it comes to the total population of 6,633,053.
• The median household income in Indiana is $51,983 which is 35^th in the country, but the cost of living is also below average, and so are taxes, so that $51k goes a lot further than it would in certain other states.

With the basics out of the way, let’s take a look at more specific details about assisted living and senior care homes in Indiana.

Types of Assisted Living in Indiana

The specific type of care one seeks out will depend entirely on their needs. If the potential resident needs any types of additional care, beyond what’s considered the norm, that could lead you down a different path. For instance, if someone is suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia, then you’ll need to take that info consideration. If they’re having a tough time mentally, or have been violent to others, or pose a danger to themselves, those are other considerations. We’ll discuss those types of situations shortly.

Generally speaking, however, for most residents, the staff at a Residential Care Facility in Indiana will work with them to determine exactly what their needs are, and how to meet those needs in a way that gives the resident dignity and quality of life, and a sense of personal responsibility, without losing sight of the care and assistance they need in order to achieve those goals.

Types of care will include things like a place to live, obviously, and help with general housekeep tasks like laundry, daily living activities to a certain degree, activates to stay active and social, and more depending on the specific needs and the facility in question.

Requirements for Moving in or Moving Out

Initial assessment information: As with nearly any facility, a pre-approval assessment is required in order to ensure that the resident will prosper under the care that the facility is able to provide to them. This assessment will include an evaluation of the resident’s abilities to handle certain day to day tasks, to handle their medication, and more. Generally, a certain level of independence is required, otherwise the resident could benefit from more in-depth care.

There are a number of conditions that could require the resident to leave the facility, for instance if they need around the clock care from a nurse, if they are in very poor health, if they pose safety risks to other residents along with themselves, and need in-depth help with 2 or more of the following three things: transferring, eating their food, or using the washroom.

In some cases, if a contract is signed with a provider for additional care that the facility themselves doesn’t provide but the resident needs, exceptions can be made but it really depends on the specific situation.

General Information About Care

Bathroom requirements: In any newer facility, each unit must have its own sink, toilet, and tub or shower in privacy. This is excellent, and the best we can hope for from any facility. As a comparison, some facilities will only have a toilet for every 6 residents, and a shower for every 8 in some states, but we have to give Indiana credit for having a perfect bathroom regulation.

Medication handling: A resident themselves can handle their medication, or if it has been instructed by a physician then the facility themselves can also assist with administration of medication for a resident.

Fire and Safety information: Facilities must undergo a yearly visit from a fire marshal to ensure they are safe. It is a good idea to speak to a facility and ask them what, exactly, their standards are when it comes to fire and other safety protocols as it can vary from location to location.

Memory care: A facility can offer care for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and if they do so there are a number of additional requirements they must meet. With special care like this, it’s important to ensure the facility is equipped to handle the needs, and in Indiana the facility has to keep a number of records if they offer these types of care.

Staff Training and Requirements

There is a requirement for every care giver in a particular facility to do a variety of training activates to ensure that they understand their facility’s standards of care, philosophies, and how to handle the variety of situations they’ll encounter on the job. The facility is required to keep detailed records on each employee to ensure they have met the training standards.

Medicaid for Assisted Living in State and Additional Information

For more information, you can get in touch with the Indiana Division of Aging, and the Division of Long Term Care in the State Department of Health.

Licensed facilities have Medicaid waivers available, for those living with traumatic brain injuries and other disabilities, along with aging, and it’s worth looking into to learn about the exact requirements and how to relate to your unique situation.