The “Adopt-an-Elder” Foundation is an all-volunteer non-profit subsidy program offering assistance to low-income elders in the greater Sacramento area who cannot afford alternative care options. Some low-income, frail elderly are being diverted into skilled nursing facilities prematurely due to the shortfall of a few hundred dollars per month that would afford them assisted living options. Our program provides the funds that help fill that gap so that seniors can afford a more independent, dignified lifestyle in a home-like environment. We work with assisted living communities to help meet seniors’ needs through a combination of

•  Accepting a lower rate

•  A small subsidy by our organization

• Utilizing any possible community resources to assist with the senior’s care, e.g., Adult Day Health Center.

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Case Example:

Our first adoptee is an excellent example. He was living in a skilled nursing facility but had minimal care needs. The Foundation was able to locate a facility that normally charged at least $1,800 a month. The Foundation negotiated with that facility to accept a subsidy of $300/month from the Foundation along with his $1400 from SSI as payment in full for his rent. What appeared to be a $100 gap became acceptable when negotiated and subsidized by our Foundation.

 

$1800  Monthly rent at the facility

$ 1400 SSI payment

$ 300  Adopt-an-Elder Foundation subsidy

$ 100   Deficit to assisted living

 

How we adopt:

We receive an inquiry from various sources in the community, such as social workers, healthcare professionals, family members, or the seniors themselves. If appropriate, the assessment committee member performs an in-person interview to evaluate the potential adoptee’s care needs, financial status, and current social support. All adoptees must be low-income and/or Medi-Cal recipients with needs for only basic care and supervision. The financial contribution from Adopt-an-Elder Foundation can range from $100-300 per month for a one-year renewable term.

 

Societal Benefits of the Adopt-an-Elder Foundation

With substantial funding, programs such as ours could potentially save the state millions of dollars in Medi-Cal benefits by diverting seniors who require only minimal care from skilled nursing facilities into assisted living facilities. The State of California spends an average of $6,800/month for Medi-Cal recipients who live in skilled nursing facilities. With the Adopt-an-Elder program's help, elders who only need minimal care can safely reside in an assisted living community. The difference in the quality of life for those seniors is immeasurable. Not only does Adopt an Elder provider a more dignified lifestyle for low-income seniors it can also save taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes.

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Case Management 

Our team of board members are qualified professionals in the industry that continue to assess, conduct in person visits, and quarterly phone calls to ensure all of our adoptees are getting the services they need, as well as the financial support. We evaluate physical changes in condition, along with psychosocial factors to monitor and improve quality of life.

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