A good overview. Thanks.
I don't want to change the subject, but would like to mention the interim step that's available between living at home, living with a relative, and assisted living. You may know about this, but maybe not. It's senior apartment living in a managed facility. Not subsidized by healthcare, or medicaid, but an excellent alternative that allows independent living for seniors... single or couples... in a place that is safe, and offers the amenities that make life less challenging.
We will eventually go this route, given reasonable health in the neartime coming years. In effect, these apartments offer many of the things offered by assisted living, yet allow the privacy and independence, that is missing there.
Here's a typical description.
One payment... either a buy in to the apartment with a guarantee return of capital upon leaving, or as in the one we are considering, a month to month rental.
Various sizes - studio to three bedroom.
Two or three meals a day in a white tablecloth dining room.
Transportation- Mini Buses for shopping, Doctors visits, plays, dining out, trips to casinos etc. And low cost individual taxi service.
Garages for those who prefer to keep their cars.
Libraries, meeting rooms, card rooms, outdoor patios and walkways, beauty shops, ice cream parlor, and often many more services like pools, and gyms. Function rooms for visitors, parties or celebrations.
Single payment for all utilities, TV and internet in the monthly bill.
Light housekeeping twice a week.
24/7 front desk and security.
Most have organized activities, and a daily calendar of events.
We have visited many of these apartment complexes, both here in Illinois, and in Florida, including the Villages. While conditions vary, the vast majority are quite elegant, both in the common rooms and the apartments themselves. The prices vary widely, from as little as $18,000/yr for 1 person studio, to much higher... over $50,000. The one we like is currently available (two bedroom 1100sf. ) @ about $32,000. (remember, this is two people, with almost no additional expenses.
One of the things that cannot be taken too lightly, when deciding to relocate aging parent from the ancestral home, is the safety, and the easy integration into a social situation which IMHO, can lead to happier, healthier and more fulfilling years.
Admission to one of these complexes almost always requires the ability for self care and independent mobility, though we notice that once admitted, accommodations are often made for part time assistance, and wheel chairs, etc.
A side note... some friends who we considered to be candidates for a nursing home, seven years ago, moved into a senior apartment complex, and relieved of the strains of living alone in a house, are thriving... with an active social life, including cruises, shows, and organizations etc.
Didn't mean to threadjack, but think this fits in when making decisions for the later years.
