CaliS
girl next door
- Location
- West Coast, USA
Sadly, even old folks are a business to some....
Thinking of moving to a Senior independent living facility.
- Thread starter Ruthanne
- Start date
I'm 72 yo and relatively healthy. I know I'm not a spring chicken and trying to think ahead because I'm not getting any younger. Since I have no immediate family, I'm considering the possibility of assisted living when the time comes and if (that's a big "if") I can afford it. In the meantime, if money gets tight, it would be nice to have a roommate to share expenses. I'm surprised communal living hasn't become vogue again with the way prices have skyrocketed.
Teacher Terry
Well-known Member
Assisted living where I live is between 8–10 K/month. I’m not surprised that most people do not want to do communal living because after spending most of my life living with either a husband or children I’m really enjoying living alone. There is no way I want to share space with anyone else besides my two doggies
officerripley
Well-known Member
- Location
- Porlock, Calif
I think it's about the same here, maybe a tiny bit cheaper.
Teacher Terry
Well-known Member
Three years ago when my friend died the year before he was paying 5K/month for assisted living but when his care needs increased, he was paying 8K/a month. It was shocking since it wasn’t nursing home care. Luckily he had been a really good saver his entire life and could pay for it. He made many sacrifices to save that money.
I was thinking more along the lines of people who couldn't afford assisted living, at least it would be an alternative. Financially I am comfortable ( not rich) but I know I couldn't afford $8-10k/mo. I think in my area it's more like $3500-5000 k/mo for a decent ( not upscale) assisted living. I wouldn't last long financially in an average assisted living. I'll live in my home as long as I can but I'm just thinking ahead should I live long enough to have to make that tough decision.
Teacher Terry
Well-known Member
I definitely can’t afford 8K a month either. However, most people I know were able to stay in their home until they died or shortly before. If it was a choice between being homeless and sharing space with somebody than the answer would be obvious.
Prices are shocking and unattainable for many seniors and we all need to do what we can to cut corners. That's if it's necessary and important to you.
Teacher Terry
Well-known Member
I’m hoping of course to be able to remain in my own condo like my mom and my aunt did. My friend had Parkinson’s and it became very debilitating which is why he needed assisted living.
I want to stay in mine as long as I can. My house is paid off and I don't want any more mortgage or rent payments the rest of my life if I can help it. Having said that, should I get a debilitating disease, I'll have to sell the house to be able to afford assisted living or nursing home (God forbid!) living.
Why not hire a live-in assistant if you own your home. The monthly salary for a live-in assistant is around $6k a month.
I used to know someone who had Parkinson’s. His old home has stairs in the front and it's a multi level house. He finally had to sell the house and buy a condo with elevators. And hire a live in assistant. He live with Parkinson’s disease and sufferred for more than 20 years. But thank goodness he had the fund to stay away from nursing homes.
Aunt Bea
SF VIP
- Location
- Near Mount Pilot
In Central New York we have a good mix of assisted living facilities that run the gamut from luxury cruise ship style facilities to more basic facilities that accept both private pay and Medicaid.
My hope is to be able to maintain my independence and autonomy until it’s no longer safe for me and the people around me.
If I’m lucky, I will be within the averages and die within three years of entering a managed care facility.
If not, I’ll have to rely on Medicaid and the kindness of strangers for my end of life care.
My hope is to be able to maintain my independence and autonomy until it’s no longer safe for me and the people around me.
If I’m lucky, I will be within the averages and die within three years of entering a managed care facility.
If not, I’ll have to rely on Medicaid and the kindness of strangers for my end of life care.
Strangers will take care of strangers for a fee: doctors, nurses are all strangers. And for "end of life care", no worries, there are people who are happy to end your life for a fee too. That's called "assisted dying". Money is king...I mean key.
Teacher Terry
Well-known Member
He wasn’t able to handle hiring caretakers and because he needed assistance at any time day or night it can be very difficult to find reliable people that will show up.
I actually made a list of nice assisted living places and drove him around so he could tour each one and then chose the one he wanted to live at. I wasn’t about to hire caretakers and then have to stress out if someone didn’t show up. As it was, I was taking him to all his doctor appointments and managing his medication’s at one point.
Once he got settled in at the assisted living facility, then I could just visit him once or twice a week. Before that my whole life was revolving around helping him and not it’s not how anyone wants to spend their retirement long-term.
officerripley
Well-known Member
- Location
- Porlock, Calif
Because good ones are scarce, around here anyway. And $6K is not a small amount for most to come up with.
gruntlabor
Well-known Member
- Location
- Last Frontier, Age 83
Earning ones living by providing services to seniors is an honorable career choice.
CaliS
girl next door
- Location
- West Coast, USA
IF said service is comparable with the cost, I would agree.
Sadly, I went through a terrible time when I had to find a place for my Mom to live and I was shocked at some of the places out there where poor old people have to live.
I do not like to see people make BIG profits off another's suffering, is all I'm saying.
I believe, society should care for it's children, handicapped and elderly citizens with compassion and a generous spirit.
Just my humble opinion.
Lewkat
Senior Member
- Location
- New Jersey, USA
Ruthanne, I have lived in an ALF for 18 years. I lucked out since here in New Jersey, nothing is cheap. Regardless of where you are from, you will go through your money very rapidly, and that is just for basic assistance. Look into what senior monetary assistance is available for those who require it after a period of time. I must say, also check out several places and their back grounds. It is great living I must say. Aging in place is made easy and your life is your own. Choose wisely.
OneEyedDiva
SF VIP
- Location
- New Jersey
Several years ago, I was going to turn my apartment over to my Honorary Daughter (mother of two of my then young grandchildren). We co-op shareholders pay about 27% of what average rents cost in our area, so I knew it would be financially beneficial to her. She had health issues that sometimes interfered with her being able to work steadily.
I found out two things that turned me off:
~Availability was slim, with wait times being as long as 3 to 4 years. I called several places both in and out of town. Public housing took 33% of incomes.
~They wanted too much personal information (eg: bank and investment account institutions and amounts). One place I went to wasn't public housing and charged a bit more than 30%. I knew people who lived there and the apartments were nice. But I noticed that their files were not in a locked cabinet, so anyone, say a maintenance staff member, could easily access people's personal information. I think their wait time was estimated to be 2 years or a little less.
Because wait times could be long, I advise you to start applying to places now; don't wait until your lease is up. If you find someplace nice, it might be worth it to pay to break your lease if only a little time is left on it. Just thinking "out loud"...don't know how that works.
I found out two things that turned me off:
~Availability was slim, with wait times being as long as 3 to 4 years. I called several places both in and out of town. Public housing took 33% of incomes.
~They wanted too much personal information (eg: bank and investment account institutions and amounts). One place I went to wasn't public housing and charged a bit more than 30%. I knew people who lived there and the apartments were nice. But I noticed that their files were not in a locked cabinet, so anyone, say a maintenance staff member, could easily access people's personal information. I think their wait time was estimated to be 2 years or a little less.
Because wait times could be long, I advise you to start applying to places now; don't wait until your lease is up. If you find someplace nice, it might be worth it to pay to break your lease if only a little time is left on it. Just thinking "out loud"...don't know how that works.
Happy Heart
Member
Please be careful and check with a good financial advisor as once you sell your home, your assets become liable. I too will stay at home as long as possible but also look into a reverse mortgage as poor second option, but at least it is an option. I hear too many stories about how folks are treated in nursing homes and just recently that COVID is still a problem in them.
I worked in a nursing home from 1989 until 2023 and there are some horror stories. Not a lot, but one is too many. I worked in them because I've always loved elderly people but unfortunately there are some that are just in it for the money.