Is it Really More Expensive to Move My Loved Ones into a Senior Living Facility?

When it comes to making the decision of where your elderly loved one should live, the choice can be a difficult one. There are many factors to consider, such as cost, care, and lifestyle preferences. In this blog post, we will compare the cost of assisted living with that of private home care. Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list, but rather a general overview of the costs involved. So, which is more affordable – a senior living community or staying at home with or without care? Let’s take a look!

Both options have their pros and cons, but when it comes down to it, staying at home is usually more expensive. In the Pottstown area, the average monthly cost for a senior living community can range from $2,500 to $4,665 depending on your care needs as well as the apartment’s floor print., while keeping a loved one at home typically costs around $4,270 per month. You can find the breakdown of these costs and what we used to factor into them, on the chart available for download.

How Much Does it Really Cost to Live in a Private Home?

The cost of living independently can be expensive. Beyond the mortgage or rent, there are utilities, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs. Then there are the unexpected costs, such as repairs or replacements. In addition to these costs, if you are providing care for a senior adult, you have to consider things like medication supervision and management, laundry services, meal preparation, housekeeping, wifi or cable, and much more. When weighing the decision of whether or not to move the Senior in your life into a senior living community, this is a large factor. We estimate that, with all of these factors in mind, you might be spending somewhere around $4,270 a month while keeping a loved one at home. Below we will break down what it would look like to live in different senior living community environments and what they will cost you.

Independent Living

One of the living options we will be discussing is Independent Living. Independent living is a type of housing designed for seniors who want to live independently but still want to enjoy social events, happy hours, and activities. Independent living in a community comes with all the perks of living your best life!

No more worries about home maintenance and repairs, house cleaning, bed linen changes, meals, local transportation and so much more is included. Within independent living in the Pottstown area, a resident could choose a private studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom apartments and everything in between, depending on location.

The main difference between a private studio and a one-bedroom is the number of rooms. A private studio typically contains one large room that serves as both the bedroom and living room, while a one-bedroom has separate rooms for each. Private studios are often smaller than one-bedrooms, but this varies depending on the size of the overall apartment. One-bedroom units also typically have a kitchen and bathroom that are separate from the main living area, while private studios may have a kitchenette or shared bathroom. Private studios are generally more affordable than one-bedrooms, but they offer less privacy and space.

Even though they offer less space, the community wants you to use their entire campus as your own home! You can think of your studio as your own private apartment, but have the conveniences of utilizing art, music, gym, activity and game rooms, as well as their movie theater, and outside terraces as if they are your own.

These options are located in senior living communities that offer additional amenities such as meals, transportation, and social activities. These facilities usually provide 24-hour security and staff assistance should residents need it. Independent living gives seniors the independence they desire while still providing the supportive services they need to live comfortably and safely.

The Independent Living option also takes maintenance out of the equation. Things like landscaping or lawn maintenance, appliance maintenance, and housekeeping are taken care of. As we mentioned above, you will also receive the benefit of having someone available on staff 24/7 to care for your loved one, should they need it.

We estimate, with all of these costs included, that this option’s starting cost could be around $2,500 to $2,950 depending on if you chose a private studio or one bedroom.

Personal Care Living

The next housing option we will discuss is Personal care or Assisted Living. Senior living personal care is a type of housing designed for older adults who need some assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and eating. There are also many floor print options with this senior living category as well.

Within this living option, these communities typically offer a wide range of services and amenities, including 24-hour staffing, housekeeping, and transportation. Many also have on-site health care facilities. These communities can provide residents with the social interaction and support that they need to maintain their independence. We estimate that this living option’s starting cost could be anywhere from $3,925 to $4,665.

Conclusion

It’s hard to let go, but eventually, we all have to face the fact that our loved ones can no longer live safely on their own, and it can be much too expensive to provide the resources they need in order to live at home and stay safe. If you’re considering a senior living facility, call us first.

There is a wide range of costs based on location, care needs, and type of apartment. Care needs, if any, and final pricing will be determined based on the initial “care/health” assessment completed prior to entering a community. Care charges are subject to change. We have seen levels of care increase and even decrease for residents once resident(s) settles into the community.

The numbers represented in this comparison are based on estimates gathered while working with multiple communities. They are not guaranteed to be 100% accurate and are used for illustrative purposes only. From time to time, communities may increase their rates OR allow additional discounts based on availability. Final costs and programs will be delivered from the individual communities. We have access to unpublished rates and discounts, and you should always call us before you start your search.