If you or a loved one could use a helping hand with personal care, preparing healthy meals or participating in activities, you might be considering the advantages of moving to a senior living community.
However, even when assistance would support a higher quality of life, families often assume that a community would be more expensive – especially when compared to bringing in care while remaining at home.
Although financial costs are always a valid consideration, you may be surprised at how comparable senior living expenses are to home care.
Understanding the Expenses of Senior Living
When calculating the expenses of senior living, whether it’s received at a community or in your existing home, start by making a list of features needed to support aging and living well. You may want to consider the costs of the following elements:
- An accessible and private residence
- Assistance with personal care
- Support for an independent lifestyle
- Healthy and delicious meals
- Activities and social events
- Physical and cognitive fitness classes
- Opportunities to make new friends
- Scheduled transportation
- Safe and secure living environment
Download our complimentary guide, Choosing the Right Senior Living Community – A Step by Step Guide for Making an Informed Decision.
Comparing the Cost of Moving to Senior Living with Remaining at Home
For an accurate consideration, make sure you are accounting for the same level of services received in both environments, including the following:
1. An accessible residence
Cost of moving to senior living: The cost of the residence will differ depending on the community, size, services offered and geographic location, but it will be accessible and supportive of aging well.
Cost of remaining in your existing home: Even if you own your home, you’ll need to figure additional expenses such as insurance, property taxes, utilities and maintenance, as well as any costs required to make the home accessible.
2. Assistance with daily care
Cost of moving to senior living: Included in the cost of senior living is assistance with daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing or grooming.
Cost of remaining in your existing home: You’ll want to calculate the number of care and support needed and discuss rates with home care agencies. Subtract the hours that can be provided by family members or friends.
3. Preparing healthy meals
Cost of moving to senior living: Meals are typically included in the cost of community life. Residents not only benefit from good nutrition but enjoy their meals without having to shop or prepare them.
Cost of remaining in your existing home: Eating well is essential to healthy living. If you’re not able to plan for or prepare nutritious meals, you’ll need to calculate the expenses of a food delivery service or having someone come into the home.
4. Access to activities and social events
Cost of moving to senior living: Communities offer a monthly calendar of activities for residents to choose from to remain engaged. You’ll also discover several planned social events to interact with others.
Cost of remaining in your existing home: Remaining active is critical to healthy living but having access can become more difficult, especially if transportation is a challenge. Calculate costs for memberships and to attend events.
5. Physical and cognitive fitness opportunities
Cost of moving to senior living: Another advantage of senior living is that you’ll have access to a fitness center, exercise classes or other stimulating activities, all included and available on-site.
Cost of remaining in your existing home: Many older adults find it difficult to access a gym or classes to remain physically and cognitively fit. You’ll want to add the costs of memberships and transportation.
6. Transportation options
Cost of moving to senior living: It’s not uncommon for older adults to drive less or decide to no longer drive. However, this can mean becoming isolated from others. Communities provide scheduled transportation to medical appointments, shopping and entertainment.
Cost of remaining in your existing home: If you are no longer driving, you’ll want to arrange for transportation options, including rides from family or friends or calculate the cost of ride-sharing and mass transportation.
7. Safety and security features
Cost of moving to senior living: You’ll appreciate the additional safety and security features you’ll find included at a community, including those in your personal residence. It’s also reassuring to know that someone is always available if help is needed.
Cost of remaining in your existing home: Figure any additional costs of making sure your home is safe, including alarm and alert systems.
The Charleston Senior Living Community
Locally owned and operated, we offer personalized care by our dedicated team members. Setting a new standard in Assisted Living and Memory Care, we don’t define our residents by their limitations or illness but instead believe in focusing on the positive and the possibility.
The Charleston Senior Community includes private apartments for assisted living residents and for those living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Your loved ones will benefit from our attention to detail, routine health assessments, delicious dining and daily activity programs as we support everyone to live their best life.
Consider a few of our amenities:
- Chef-led dining program
- Community movie theater
- Salon
- Ballroom
- Live entertainment
- Outdoor patio
- Social lounges
- Housekeeping
If you or your family is thinking about Assisted living or Memory care, we hope you will consider The Charleston Senior Community. We are a trusted resource and are here to answer any questions.
We also invite you to download our complimentary guide, Choosing the Right Senior Living Community – A Step by Step Guide for Making an Informed Decision.
