Moving to an assisted living community is a major life decision.
It's a decision you make willingly or unwillingly, yet the decision has to be made.
After major, life-saving surgery my husband became disabled and he can't walk any more.
This fact led to a search of assisted living communities in our city.
The search was revealing.
I created a file for each assisted living community I contacted.
The financial information was critical to decision-making.
"Can we afford this?" became a recurring question.
To answer the question I added up the monthly and yearly costs of living at each community.
You may be researching assisted living communities now.
This list may help you find the best place for you.
1.
What is the monthly apartment fee? Assisted living communities offer two basic options, buying an apartment or renting it.
You will have to determine which option you prefer.
Read information carefully because the monthly fee may be for one occupant and an additional fee may be charged for the second one.
2.
How is the monthly fee determined? The fee is usually determined by the square footage of the apartment.
You may have to pay extra for a fireplace, a bay window, a better view, built-ins, or an apartment on the top floor.
3.
What does the monthly fee cover? The fee may include utilities, transportation, an activities program, an urgent call system, weekly cleaning, and building maintenance.
You may also be asked to contribute holiday tip money for the staff.
4.
What extra services are available? Some assisted living communities charge extra for using laundry equipment and some do not.
Of course, you will have to pay for guest meals.
If a family member visits, you will have to pay for a guest suite.
Storage is a problem for many assisted living residents and you will have to pay extra for it.
5.
What is the parking fee? When you move to assisted living chances are you're downsizing.
But downsizing doesn't mean you give up your car or cars.
Assisted living communities aren't car storage communities.
While the monthly fee for one parking space may be reasonable, the fee for a second space can be far higher to discourage storage.
6.
What do healthcare services cost? Fees may be hourly or based on a point system.
For example, you may have to pay $292 per month for medication set-up.
Morning and bedtime dressing and grooming may cost anywhere from $1,200+ a month, to as much as $1,500 a month.
Healthcare fees add up quickly.
7.
What else does the apartment need? Shades and blinds may not be covered by your monthly fee and you will have to pay for them.
You may also have to pay extras for construction, such as building a wheelchair accessible bathroom sink, or having your own thermostat installed.
Gather all the information you can on assisted living fees.
Visit the assisted living community and take notes while you're there.
Talk to some of the residents if you can.
Add up your monthly costs and see if they fit your budget.
Allow extra money for financial emergencies.
It's best to determine your costs now, rather than being surprised after you move in.
Copyright 2014 by Harriet Hodgson
It's a decision you make willingly or unwillingly, yet the decision has to be made.
After major, life-saving surgery my husband became disabled and he can't walk any more.
This fact led to a search of assisted living communities in our city.
The search was revealing.
I created a file for each assisted living community I contacted.
The financial information was critical to decision-making.
"Can we afford this?" became a recurring question.
To answer the question I added up the monthly and yearly costs of living at each community.
You may be researching assisted living communities now.
This list may help you find the best place for you.
1.
What is the monthly apartment fee? Assisted living communities offer two basic options, buying an apartment or renting it.
You will have to determine which option you prefer.
Read information carefully because the monthly fee may be for one occupant and an additional fee may be charged for the second one.
2.
How is the monthly fee determined? The fee is usually determined by the square footage of the apartment.
You may have to pay extra for a fireplace, a bay window, a better view, built-ins, or an apartment on the top floor.
3.
What does the monthly fee cover? The fee may include utilities, transportation, an activities program, an urgent call system, weekly cleaning, and building maintenance.
You may also be asked to contribute holiday tip money for the staff.
4.
What extra services are available? Some assisted living communities charge extra for using laundry equipment and some do not.
Of course, you will have to pay for guest meals.
If a family member visits, you will have to pay for a guest suite.
Storage is a problem for many assisted living residents and you will have to pay extra for it.
5.
What is the parking fee? When you move to assisted living chances are you're downsizing.
But downsizing doesn't mean you give up your car or cars.
Assisted living communities aren't car storage communities.
While the monthly fee for one parking space may be reasonable, the fee for a second space can be far higher to discourage storage.
6.
What do healthcare services cost? Fees may be hourly or based on a point system.
For example, you may have to pay $292 per month for medication set-up.
Morning and bedtime dressing and grooming may cost anywhere from $1,200+ a month, to as much as $1,500 a month.
Healthcare fees add up quickly.
7.
What else does the apartment need? Shades and blinds may not be covered by your monthly fee and you will have to pay for them.
You may also have to pay extras for construction, such as building a wheelchair accessible bathroom sink, or having your own thermostat installed.
Gather all the information you can on assisted living fees.
Visit the assisted living community and take notes while you're there.
Talk to some of the residents if you can.
Add up your monthly costs and see if they fit your budget.
Allow extra money for financial emergencies.
It's best to determine your costs now, rather than being surprised after you move in.
Copyright 2014 by Harriet Hodgson
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