What happens if a resident stops paying for their care? Do you have to kick them out onto the streets?
When a senior moves into a residential assisted living home, it’s typically not the resident themselves paying – they’ve assigned a Power of Attorney (POA) to handle their finances and care decisions. The POA, often an adult child, signs an agreement with the home and is responsible for making payments. So what happens if they stop paying?
In this episode, we cover:
– How a lapse in payment is considered elder abuse, similar to abandoning a child at daycare, and the legal repercussions the POA could face
– Options the care home has if a resident’s family starts to run out of money, such as moving them to a lower-cost room or facility
– Cases where the home may work with the family to keep a long-term resident at a reduced rate
– The importance of balancing compassion for the resident with the business interests of the home
While extremely rare, especially in high-end homes, a complete cessation of payment could lead to authorities getting involved. However, most families communicate proactively if facing financial issues, and the home will seek solutions to avoid resident displacement.
Tune in to understand how to handle this sensitive situation if it arises. Discover how you can do right by your residents while protecting your RAL business.
Listen to this episode of the Assisted Living Network Podcast here.
