The expensive of living in a particular area, facilities’ onsite amenities, and extent of services provided help dictate costs as you would expect. The cost of Assisted Living across the country ranges from $1500 to $5000 monthly with the average probably somewhere around $2500-$3500 per month. These statistics and following information are based on my personal experiences as a Nursing Assistant researching numerous facilities for families in need of housing and or Nursing Assistants care for their aging loved ones. The base monthly rent also depends on whether the accommodations are semi-private or private rooms, suites sharing bathrooms, studios with or without kitchens and one, two, or three bedroom apartments. Actual square footage, room location i.e. distance from dining room, and desirable views may be cause for further price variation within each care facility. The monthly rent is actually considered as room and board with daily meals provided, in addition to housekeeping, laundry and transportation services. Be sure to know whether 1, 2 or 3 meals are served, whether every day or just certain days of week and if snacks are offered.
Upfront costs prior to moving in might include admission fees, entry fees, community, endowment or buying fees. Although many of the Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) or Life Care Communities still usually require these fees, it seems to be less popular in recent years. Monthly rents in CCRCs are comparable to those in Assisted Living Facilities when the entry fee does not apply. The Assisted Living and in-home Nursing Assistant element of these communities offering the continuum of Nursing Assistants care is very attractive to many, but frequently less available then 55+ community accommodations.Assisted Living or in-home Nursing Assistants is very attractive to many but most of the time less available then 55+ community accomodations. Be sure to plan ahead if this type of community appeals to you because many times it’s difficult to enter in the Assisted Living Level. Due to nursing assistants giving priority to in-house 55+ community residents who are already waiting.
Make sure you don’t get fooled by thinking you’re done after paying the base rent Most Assisted Living Facilities or in-home Nursing Assistants care have some structure for different levels of care setup with a corresponding costs schedule. The levels of care might be described as minimal, moderate, and maximal or as care assist and care enhanced. A facility might use a numeric system from 1 to 3 or 1 to 5 based on a the number of Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) a person needs a Nursing Assistant with. Such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and medication monitoring.They might consist of a certain amount of care in this base rent limited to about 30 minutes daily. Others who ascribe to a point system where the Nursing Assistant assessing the resident marks off points for his or her care taking. No matter what the facility’s practice, it’s important to understand this particular method of assigning levels of care with fee increments of $300-$400 for each level can add up to $2000 additional monthly costs. It is in the facilities best interest to be forthcoming in explaining their fee structures thorougly so patients won’t be set for any surprises. Most facilities have additional costs for medications, personal hygiene and medical supplies.
Understand that the monthly rent for most facilities includes utilities except for phone and perhaps cable TV. Keep in mind that you will no longer have the financial burden of homeowner’s insurance, property taxes, home maintenance and repairs. But have the convenience of the care of a Nursing Assistant.