How Much Does Assisted Living Cost?

If you’re on the hunt for the right senior living option for either yourself or your aging parents, you may find yourself in a place where you’re practically overwhelmed by choices. The different types of services, their fee structures, and the way contracts are worded can be truly daunting. It’s important to fully understand your choices.

If the person in question needs help with the acts of daily living, including bathing and even eating, the best option may be assisted living. If you’re wondering how much does assisted living cost, you’ve found the right article.

Here’s what you need to know about how much to expect for the average cost of assisted living, and what you get for that cost.

The Estimated Cost of Assisted Living is Only an Average

Assisted living options tend to be more expensive than independent living. That’s because of the extra services you are receiving from trained healthcare professionals.

Independent living neighborhoods and campuses may provide great amenities and access to a schedule of activities. But there is typically little in the way of actual health services, from monitoring someone’s health to ensuring they are taking their medication to helping them go to the bathroom. It is these services, often from certified nurse practitioners, that cause assisted living to be understandably more costly.

Of course, how much assisted living costs on average depends on the location, the type of facility, and the level of care needed. As with cost of living, a facility in the Midwest is likely to cost less than one in San Francisco, as an example. In general, you can expect to pay anymore from $2,500 per month for a fairly barebones operation in a low cost-of-living location, to upwards of $8,000 or even $12,000 for more luxurious accommodations in a more expensive area. As referenced in an article from Forbes, “the average assisted living monthly base price in San Francisco is $6,319. In Sioux Falls, South Dakota, it’s $2,910.” Additionally, the cost of assisted living can also be reflective in the quality of care one receives.

What’s Included with the cost of assisted living?

Assisted living facilities typically offer a variety of amenities and services, including:

• Private apartments with kitchens and bathrooms
• Meals
• Laundry and housekeeping
• Transportation
• Activities and social programs
• 24/7 staffing
• Personal care assistance
• Medication management
• Nursing care

The level of care provided by assisted living facilities can vary depending on the needs of the residents. Some facilities offer only basic care, such as help with bathing, dressing, and eating. Other facilities offer more comprehensive care, such as medication management, nursing care, and memory care. The more services provided, obviously the higher the monthly cost.

The Long-Term Benefits of Assisted Living for Seniors

Assisted living isn’t for everyone. If someone can perform the functions of daily living on their own, they do not need to be within an assisted living environment.

However, for those who do need such care, there are many long-term benefits, not just to the individual but for their family as well.

Assisted living facilities provide a safe and secure environment for older adults. The staff is trained to handle medical emergencies and to provide assistance with daily activities. This also leads to an increased quality of life for residents, as assisted living facilities can help older adults to maintain their dignity, and can take responsibilities and stress off their loved ones. The staff can provide assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and eating. This can free up older adults to focus on the things they enjoy, such as socializing, participating in activities, and spending time with family and friends. The facilities often have activities and social programs that encourage residents to get to know each other. This, in turn, leads to reduced loneliness and isolation.

When considering how much assisted living is going to cost, it bears repeating an indispensable benefit that can make almost any cost worth it. Relieving the stress off caregivers such as the adult children is an essential long-term benefit that cannot be overstated. They no longer need to worry about leaving their loved one alone, or if they’re remembering to take their medication, or if they might fall in the shower. Caregivers can know that their loved ones are in a safe and supportive environment.

Choosing an Assisted Living Facility

Not every assisted living facility is created equal. When choosing one, it is important to consider the following factors:

• Location: The facility should be located in a convenient location for the resident and their loved ones. This includes not just access to healthcare but also amenities and points of interest. Family and friends need to be able to easily visit.
• Cost: The cost of the facility should be both reflective of the fair market cost of living in a given region and the quality of services being provided, especially when taking into account the level of care the resident may need. Medicare and other services may be able to cover some costs, depending on the scenario, but don’t depend on only Medicare coverage. Oftentimes a family decides to sell the person’s house in order to create a nest egg from which to use to support the monthly costs.
• Amenities and services: The facility should offer the amenities and services that are important to the resident. What types of programs are implemented? Is there special focus on memory care? Will the resident receive daily engagement and interaction? Asking these questions can help determine what is most important to you and your loved ones.
• Level of care: The facility should be able to provide the level of care that the resident needs. An independent living community, for example, wouldn’t be appropriate for someone who needs assisted living. A service as complex as skilled nursing care may prove too extreme, and the resident may not yet qualify for such care.
• Staff: The staff should be friendly, caring, competent and knowledgeable. Always ask if the assisted living facility staffs their own healthcare workers, or contracts with external placement agencies. Internal staffing is always preferred, and makes a big difference in the quality of consistent care! Look for certified nurse practitioners on staff, as well.
• Resident satisfaction: The facility should have a high resident satisfaction rating, from both the patient and their loved ones. It’s also a good idea to investigate recent healthcare surveys completed by the state at the facilities you’re considering.

Considering a CCRC as an Assisted Living Option

Sometimes an older adult can still live independently, but are conscious that assisted living healthcare may be needed in the future. In many circumstances, one of the best choices for older adults in this stage of life is a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), which is a type of retirement community that offers a continuum of care.

This means that residents can move up or down the care continuum as their needs change. For example, a resident who is fairly independent may start out in independent living and then move to assisted living if their needs become more complex. They can do so without having to relocate to a different community with a new pricing structure. Likewise, a person may need to graduate to skilled nursing care until no longer needed and can then move back to assisted living.

All of this is included at the same monthly rate, on the same campus.

Additionally, if a couple has different needs, a CCRC allows them to live on the same campus, with one in independent living and another in assisted, as an example.

Learn More About Assisted Living, Affordability, and Choice

Assisted living can be a great option for older adults who need help with daily activities or who want to live in a safe and supportive environment. There are many different types of assisted living facilities to choose from, so it is important to find one that meets the needs of the individual.

CCRCs are often a fantastic choice for older adults who want peace of mind in knowing their healthcare needs will be met under all circumstances in an affordable long-term manner.

Acts Retirement-Life Communities offers both options. Those in need of assisted living right now can benefit from direct admittance into one of Acts’ exceptional facilities. For those who want to enjoy their independence now but appreciate the peace of mind of knowing they’re always be taken care of, Acts operates 27 gorgeous resort-style CCRCs across the East Coast.