Comparing prices of senior living facilities isn’t quite as simple as searching for a car — and even that doesn’t seem so simple these days.
We can share our insights on the cost of Senior Living and what goes into those costs, so you can prepare to find the best care for you or your loved one.
Senior and Assisted Living Cost Breakdown: 4 Factors That Influence the Price
1: Level of Care
2: Geographical Location
3: Amenities
4: Quality of Care
What are Senior Living Facilities?
Today’s senior living facilities give seniors:
Peace of mind
Empowerment
Independence
A sense of home.
How Much Does it Cost to Live in a Senior Living Facility?
The cost of living in a senior living facility varies considerably based on:
Location
Personal care options
Level of care needed, and
Whether the potential resident has access to resources to help cover the cost of the facility
Average Cost of Senior Living
The average cost of living in an assisted care facility can range anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000 a month. And while the latter may seem astronomical, it’s important to consider how much senior living costs, even from home.
When looking at the average cost of senior living, we recommend you take a look at the expenses they are already paying for, whether that be…
A mortgage
Utility bills
Grocery bills
Cable and internet bills
In-home healthcare bills
Prescription costs
Etc.
…and determine precisely how much money is already going toward living costs.
Now, add in the cost of your (and your loved ones) quality of life, relationships, etc. Will you or your loved one benefit more from interacting with others every day in a senior living facility? Would you have a better relationship, more time to enjoy being together, etc., by making the switch?
4 Factors That Influence the Price
While researching senior living costs, it’s beneficial to know why prices are as high — or as low — as they are.
Level of Care
The level of care a patient needs will significantly affect senior living costs. And it’s typically the number one factor that affects the average cost of senior living.
Because levels of care are vastly different, several types of senior living facilities have been established, and the costs associated with them vary.
The types of senior living facilities include:
Independent living communities — seniors who require little to no daily assistance typically want a more “carefree” lifestyle with amenities and activities available to them. In these types of communities, seniors move into a house, townhome or apartment, and have an attendant on-site who can help them as needed.
Assisted living communities — seniors who choose assisted living communities may need assistance with daily living activities like bathing, dressing, toileting, etc. Assisted living communities, like ours, also have 24-hour on-site support with a trained care team. Most assisted living communities have amenities similar to those in independent communities. The average cost of assisted living facilities is often higher than those of independent living facilities.
Skilled care facilities— skilled nursing facilities offer 24/7 support, assistance with any ADLs, and a multitude of licensed healthcare professionals on sight to help with physical and occupational needs. Skilled nursing is usually for short-term or rehabilitative stays.
Memory care facilities — memory care facilities offer 24/7 supervision and support, just like in skilled care facilities. Unlike skilled care facilities, memory care facilities are staffed with specially trained professionals and provide a calm and comfortable setting for those with diseases like Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Typical senior living costs in skilled care facilities or memory care facilities are more costly because of the level of required care and the amount of staff needed to support the residents. If your loved one needs 24/7 care, a senior care facility may seem costly, but it will save you money long term.
Geographical Location
Like many things, from real estate to gas prices, where you live can ultimately
Amenities
Amenities vary from facility to facility. What residents have available to them also varies based on the level of care they need.
Typical amenities that are covered in monthly senior living costs may include:
Transportation
Entertainment — some assisted living communities even have their own movie theaters and small dining facilities outside of the standard dining room
Private dining areas
Barber and beauty shops
Linen services
Medication management (a tricky “amenity” that can be priced as one fee, or may be a tiered system, never be afraid to ask about how services are priced at facilities)
Fitness centers
Activity rooms
Swimming pools
Quality of Care
As you know from many other instances in life, lower cost can also mean lower quality
At Heritage Heights, we believe in providing the best possible service and care every day. Respect and integrity are among our core values, and our values shine through in our quality of care.
Unfortunately, as you’ve probably realized from reading so far, many things go into the cost of senior living. To know exactly what costs you or your family member will incur, ask some of the following questions:
How much is the monthly fee?
How much are the care costs?
What is included in the monthly cost?
Is there an entrance fee?
Do you accept Medicaid?
If you accept Medicaid, do I have to pay privately first?
Does Medicare cover any part of my stay?
How often do you increase the rent?
If I run out of money, do I have to move?
The numbers are intimidating, but some different assets and funds can be utilized to pay for senior living monthly costs that many people aren’t aware of. Personal funds such as stocks, bonds, social security benefits, and pensions are traditionally how many people pay for senior living costs.
How Can I Pay for Assisted Living With No Money? Resources You May Not Know About to Cover Typical Senior Living Costs
If personal funds have already been used or are non-existent, there are other resources available to cover the costs, including:
Reverse mortgages
Long-term care insurance
Medicaid
VA Aid and Attendance Care
Is the Cost of Senior Living Facilities Your Biggest Concern?
For many, senior living facilities’ cost is a major hurdle, but it’s not the thing that’s truly affecting their decisions about choosing to change their living situation.
Feeling apprehensive about taking steps towards moving into a senior living facility, or moving your loved ones into one, isn’t abnormal. Many people who come to us with questions about making the move are stuck on stigmas of the old school “nursing homes,” senior living communities, and assisted living facilities.
Most are concerned about living a dignified, independent lifestyle after entering a senior living facility. Feeling as though their freedoms will be taken, and their quality of life will be diminished.
But it doesn’t have to be that way, we run on Integrity & Empowerment
Heritage Heights understands your concerns, and we encourage you to express your concerns with us.