Assisted Living in Vermont

Vermont is known for its rural farms, healthy living, friendly people, and low crime, which makes it ideal for seniors who appreciate beautiful scenery and rural living. This guide summarizes the laws governing assisted living facilities in the state, explains the available financial assistance programs in Vermont, and compiles free resources for seniors.

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Vermont

Finding the right assisted living facility is a difficult, yet important task, and knowing where to start your search is the first step. The directory below gives details and in-depth information on over 50 facilities in the state of Vermont.

How to Pay for Assisted Living in Vermont

Determining how to finance assisted living often starts with the question, “What’s the cost?” In today’s economy, where inflation plays a significant role, having current data is crucial for senior living financial planning. AssistedLiving.org has gathered cost information from its expansive network of over 75,000 senior living providers. This data offers a glimpse into the average expenses for assisted living in Vermont and 5 additional cities within Vermont.

How Inflation Has Impacted the Cost of Assisted Living in Vermont

Price fluctuations caused by inflation not only affect the cost of living, but also senior care rates. From 2022 to 2023, average rates paid by Vermont residents increased to $6,710, a change of 12%. In comparison, the U.S. average grew by 10% over the same period.

Seniors in New Hampshire and Connecticut can also expect relatively high fees, at $6,217 and $5,919, respectively. In New York, prices rose 16%, and in Massachusetts, only 8%. According to estimates, costs are likely to maintain their upward trend in 2024, reaching $7,147 in Vermont and $6,827 for those in New Hampshire.

Assisted Living Costs in Vermont's Top Cities

Assisted living in South Burlington costs about $5,013 per month, well below the Vermont average. Rates rise sharply further south, in Bennington, to $6,365. Prices in other towns are even higher. Middlebury residents have to set aside $8,400 for assisted living expenses, and those in Shelburne, approximately $8,511. These stark differences highlight the importance of choosing wisely the town in which seniors will reside, as this will have a direct impact on their financial resources.

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Living

There are three main types of senior living communities in Vermont, each catering to a particular subset of needs and, therefore, priced differently. Independent living, the most affordable option at $4,950, offers a self-reliant lifestyle for seniors who can perform daily activities on their own. Assisted living, at $6,710, provides assistance with tasks such as bathing and grooming. Finally, memory care includes specific services for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s for about $9,639 per month.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Vermont

Vermont Assistive Community Care Services

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Vermont

Vermont Assistive Community Care Services

The Assistive Community Care Services (ACCS) program is a division of Vermont’s Medicaid that services elderly and disabled applicants who live in or plan to live assisted living facilities. It’s important to note that while ACCS covers the cost of care in assisted living facilities, it doesn’t cover the cost of room and board.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants need to meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Vermont residents age 65 or older who need a nursing home level of care
• Live in or plan to move to a licensed Level 3 assisted living facility
• If single, monthly income cannot exceed $2,250 and assets must not be over $2,000

How to Apply

To apply for the ACCS program, following these steps:

• If not already enrolled, apply for Medicaid online or by phone at 855-899-9600.
• Find a participating facility
• Complete a Verification of Eligibility for ACCS form with the home

More Ways to Finance Assisted Living

Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

• Veterans Benefits: Veterans can take advantage of several different pension programs to help cover the cost of assisted living. For more information, see the article on benefits.va.gov.

• Life Insurance Policies: Even if a spouse or loved one hasn’t died, certain types of life insurance policies can be used to pay for assisted living. More information is available at longtermcare.acl.gov

• Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance is a type of insurance policy that pays for long-term care when it becomes necessary, including the cost of assisted living. For more information on the benefits and drawbacks of this financing method, visit longtermcare.acl.gov.

• Reverse Mortgages: Reverse mortgages allow seniors to access the equity from a home that they own, and these funds can be used to pay for assisted living. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers a federally insured reverse mortgage program.

Free Assisted Living Resources in Vermont

In Vermont, a multitude of resources are available to support seniors during their retirement years. AssistedLiving.org has gathered data on various local entities, initiatives, and agencies, and organized them according to the type of care they provide for effortless navigation.

Area Agency on Aging

Your local Area Agency on Aging is a valuable resource for retirees, offering guidance on financial aid, in-home care, and long-term care planning. They also link seniors and caregivers to community resources.

Cash Assistance Programs

In Vermont, financial aid programs are available to support low-income seniors in maintaining their home-based living. These programs offer tax relief, essential service discounts, and assistance with home heating and cooling expenses.

Financial Assistance for Senior Care and Senior Living

Seniors in Vermont, whether residing independently or in a senior living facility, have access to various local financial aid options. These entities assist in offsetting certain in-home or long-term care expenses and link them to beneficial community resources.

Food Assistance Programs

In Vermont, various local initiatives are dedicated to promoting senior health through balanced nutrition. They offer services like meal delivery, communal dining, and food banks, ensuring elderly residents have access to affordable, nutritious food.

Free Used Medical Equipment

In Vermont, numerous groups are addressing the steep expense of new medical equipment. They gather gently used items like wheelchairs, ramps, and walkers, providing them to local seniors and individuals in need.

Home Repair and Modifications

In Vermont, numerous programs are available to aid seniors and individuals with disabilities in financing home modifications and repairs. These programs, offering grants or loans, have diverse eligibility requirements specifically designed for retirees.

Legal Resources

In Vermont, numerous agencies provide affordable or complimentary legal assistance to the elderly. They offer counsel on matters like estate management, living wills, and power of attorney. Some even serve as advocates for seniors’ rights in long-term care facilities.

Social Security Offices

In Vermont, Social Security offices provide essential services to seniors and individuals with disabilities. They offer guidance on retirement benefits, disability allowances, and Supplemental Security Income.

Tax Assistance

Numerous tax aid resources are available in Vermont for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities. These include potential exemptions on medical costs, property tax reductions, and other tax relief initiatives.

Utility & Energy Bill Assistance

Organizations are available to aid low-income seniors in {catalog.city} struggling with home maintenance costs, including utility and energy bills. Emergency funding may also be accessible for those at risk of utility service termination due to unpaid bills.

Veteran’s Services

Veteran services in Vermont offer invaluable assistance to retired military personnel. These local entities guide veterans in utilizing their rightful benefits and provide counsel on diverse matters.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Vermont

The Department of Aging and Disabilities enforces comprehensive regulations for assisted living communities in the state. These regulations cover the following topics, among many other things.

Assisted Living Care Plans

If a resident requires or receives care, the assisted living facility, the resident or the resident’s legal representative (if applicable) must develop a written care plan that includes a description of the resident’s needs and supports the resident’s dignity, privacy, individuality, choice, and independence. This must be updated yearly, or when the resident’s needs change.

Assisted Living Admission Requirements

Assisted living facilities in Vermont cannot accept any resident with a serious acute illness, a resident who must have a ventilator or respirator, or a resident who requires two people to transfer him or her to their bed or chair, and/or to walk.

If a resident is already living in the ALF and the need for the aforementioned equipment, treatment or care occurs, or the resident becomes terminally ill, he or she will not have to move if the ALF can safely meet the resident’s level of care needs.

Assisted Living Scope of Care

Assisted living facilities in Vermont provide room and board and other services, including:

• Personal care
• Help with activities of daily living (e.g. preparing meals, housework, laundry, etc.)
• Intermittent skilled nursing services
• Medication administration, assistance, and management
• Skilled nursing care (if needed)

Assisted Living Medicaid Policy

Residents who require a nursing home level care may find financial assistance through the Vermont Assistive Community Care Services (ACCS) program. Vermont seniors who reside in an assisted living facility receive financial assistance for case management, nursing overview & assessment, personal care services, medication management, recreational activities, 24-hour on-site supervision, laundry, and housekeeping. This program does not cover expenses for room and board.

Assisted Living Facility Requirements

Unless a resident chooses to share their unit with another resident, assisted living facilities in Vermont must give the resident his or her own unit. Every unit is required to have the following:

• Sufficient storage and closet space
• A separate bathroom that includes a toilet, sink, grab bars, shower or tub, mirror, towel rack, non-skid surfaces, and grab bars in the showers and tubs
• A kitchen with food preparation and storage area
• Temperature controls for heating and cooling
• An emergency response system to alert on-duty staff
• A common, accessible dining space
• Two common, accessible areas that residents can use for socialization and recreational activities

Medication Management Regulations

If they are able to do so, residents may administer their own medication. If residents cannot self-administer their medications, then an RN or trained staff member, under the supervision of an RN, can give it to them. Residents do have the right to direct their own care and refuse medication.

Staffing Requirements

Although there are no staff-to-patient ratios, assisted living facilities are required to have a minimum of one personal care assistant on-site and awake to assist residents 24 hours per day.

Staff Training Requirements

All Vermont assisted living facilities must ensure the staff they hire to care for residents is 18 years of age or older and properly trained. The training requirements for employees include the following:

• Staff must be trained in the philosophy and principles of assisted living.
• Any staff that provides personal care to residents must be trained in the provision of personal care activities (e.g. medication management and administration, behavioral management, documentation, transfers, infection control, toileting, and bathing).
• Direct care staff must be trained on how to communicate with residents who have Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia.
• Every year staff is required to receive at least 12 hours of training on a resident’s rights, fire safety, emergency evacuations, emergency response, policies and procedures regarding reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation, respectful and effective resident interaction, infection control measures, and general supervision and care of residents.
• Once a year, directors and administrators are required to complete 20 hours of training on the philosophy and principles of assisted living, in addition to the care of elderly and disabled.

Background Checks for Assisted Living

Vermont assisted living facilities are prohibited from asking applicants about their criminal history on job applications, and the facility is not allowed to run a background check until they have made a conditional employment offer.

When the assisted living facility does request the applicant’s criminal history from the Vermont Criminal Information Center (VCIC), they are required to do the following:

• Obtain the applicant’s written consent on a release form provided by the VCIC
• Let the applicant know if they plan to remove him or her from consideration based on the contents of the background check
• Provide the applicant with a copy of his or her background check
• Keep any information obtained from the background check confidential
• Let the applicant know they will not be hired for the position based on the report
• Give the applicant a chance to explain his or her past, including any post-conviction rehabilitation efforts

Requirements for Reporting Abuse

There are state and federal laws and regulations in place to ensure residents in assisted living facilities are not mistreated in any way. Report any concerns to the Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging & Independent Living’s Adult Protective Services (APS).

There are five ways to anonymously report elder abuse, neglect or exploitation, but APS recommends you use their online complaint form for faster processing. If you are unable to file a report using the online form, you can contact APS through any of these methods:

Phone: (800) 564-1612
Email: [email protected]

Vermont COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living Facilities

Note: The following information was compiled and most recently updated on 2/15/22. Since COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving crisis, be sure to contact your assisted living facility or local Area Agency on Aging for the most up-to-date information.

Source: www.healthvermont.gov