Has anyone shopped nursing or retirement homes and gotten upfront straight forward pricing without an interview? Other than introductory promotional offers most of these places want to see your finances and insurance first. I get it's to make profit but shouldn't there be straight forward pricing and/or requirement? Especially if one doesn't want a medical assisted room or section.
Has anyone shopped nursing or retirement homes and gotten upfront prices?
- Thread starter WhatInThe
- Start date
PeppermintPatty
š¢. š³. š¢
- Location
- Canada
Yes ! Most places donāt openly display the prices but if you inquire they will tell you. Retirement living with all inclusive is the most expensive. This is for seniors whose health isnāt too bad. It includes golf, tennis courts, gym, outings, 3 meals a day etc. Itās like visiting a 5 star hotel .
Then thereās assisted retirement. The price depends on how much care you need. Then thereās nursing retirement which means you need care 24/7. If dementia is involved the cost is higher due to the care needed.
If retirement or nursing homes donāt offer prices, ask to speak to whoever is in charge. They will give you a breakdown. They will usually try and talk you into a private visit so you can see the facilities and how they are run. They often will include a free meal so you know what the food and menus are like.
Then thereās assisted retirement. The price depends on how much care you need. Then thereās nursing retirement which means you need care 24/7. If dementia is involved the cost is higher due to the care needed.
If retirement or nursing homes donāt offer prices, ask to speak to whoever is in charge. They will give you a breakdown. They will usually try and talk you into a private visit so you can see the facilities and how they are run. They often will include a free meal so you know what the food and menus are like.
Myquest55
Member
- Location
- Happily in MAINE
I've found some current pricing online. It puzzles me as to why more do not publish that information - even if it is just a range. It would save both of us wasted time if we cannot afford it and we can move on to look somewhere else. I do realize that the units or cottages they offer can be different sizes and prices but a $$ range would tell me if the cost is hundreds vs thousands and give me a place to start. You can usually fill out a form to request a brochure and price list by mail or even, e-mail.
That said, when we moved to our current location, we spent time visiting a number of Retirement Communities and took a few tours. A telephone call to ask a few questions was easy and , for the most part, I got pricing info up front. It was either a "thank you" and hang up or I made an appointment for a tour. We had fun looking at the different options - some we knew were not for us as we walked in the door and out of 8 possible places, we put our names on a wait list for 2. NOT ONE asked us for financial information.
It can be up to 8 years, on a wait list, to get into these places so I encourage you to bite the bullet, take some tours and pick out a couple. We're almost to the top of the list at our favorite place and they want a 12 month "notice" before we can get a call. We're looking forward to the move.
That said, when we moved to our current location, we spent time visiting a number of Retirement Communities and took a few tours. A telephone call to ask a few questions was easy and , for the most part, I got pricing info up front. It was either a "thank you" and hang up or I made an appointment for a tour. We had fun looking at the different options - some we knew were not for us as we walked in the door and out of 8 possible places, we put our names on a wait list for 2. NOT ONE asked us for financial information.
It can be up to 8 years, on a wait list, to get into these places so I encourage you to bite the bullet, take some tours and pick out a couple. We're almost to the top of the list at our favorite place and they want a 12 month "notice" before we can get a call. We're looking forward to the move.
Teacher Terry
Well-known Member
When I helped a friend find independent living apartments knowing he would eventually need assisted living it was easy to get prices. When he chose one and applied he had to provide his financial information.
Lethe200
Senior Member
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
Yes, we did extensive investigation when my MIL needed to move to a seniorcare facility. Visited 8, selected the 3 semi-finalists, made another round of visits to those 3, got it down to 2 and made ANOTHER round of visits, investigating all parts of the facility including watching the activity classes for Memory Care, etc.
Spouse chose one as the best choice, we took her twice to let her meet and tour the facility so that she would feel comfortable. Third visit was actual selection of unit she picked as the one she liked best.
Getting prices was not a problem. They all pretty much charge the same, although there were differences in how they judged level of assistance needed.
One thing to be aware of: ask how often the facility raises its prices. In our area, ALL the facilities, profit and non-profit, raise their prices between 2-5% every July 1st, due to inflation and wage/overhead costs. This means your unit rent goes up, as do the prices for extra assistance. We live in a major metropolitan area, so facilities where you buy your unit are in the minority (and generally very, very high-end).
Spouse chose one as the best choice, we took her twice to let her meet and tour the facility so that she would feel comfortable. Third visit was actual selection of unit she picked as the one she liked best.
Getting prices was not a problem. They all pretty much charge the same, although there were differences in how they judged level of assistance needed.
One thing to be aware of: ask how often the facility raises its prices. In our area, ALL the facilities, profit and non-profit, raise their prices between 2-5% every July 1st, due to inflation and wage/overhead costs. This means your unit rent goes up, as do the prices for extra assistance. We live in a major metropolitan area, so facilities where you buy your unit are in the minority (and generally very, very high-end).
Last edited:
Naturally
Well-known Member
- Location
- Corner of Walk 'n Don't Walk
I've only ever considered one(1) retirement facility ...
Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) Gulfport Mississipi
There is also an AFRH in Washington DC and both are included in the link above.
I would only consider Gulfport in my case.
The AFRH in Gulfport is located on the sugar white beaches of the Gulf of Mexico.
And has the very best amenities America has to offer ... at a government run retirement home.
Most here wouldn't qualify for acceptance there though ...
As for costs ...
The rooms are like mini apartments ... AFRH Rooms
Some Armed Forces Retirement Home Frequently Asked Questions ... AFRH FAQs
Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) Gulfport Mississipi
There is also an AFRH in Washington DC and both are included in the link above.
I would only consider Gulfport in my case.
The AFRH in Gulfport is located on the sugar white beaches of the Gulf of Mexico.
And has the very best amenities America has to offer ... at a government run retirement home.
Most here wouldn't qualify for acceptance there though ...
As for costs ...
The rooms are like mini apartments ... AFRH Rooms
Some Armed Forces Retirement Home Frequently Asked Questions ... AFRH FAQs
Last edited:
OneEyedDiva
SF VIP
- Location
- New Jersey
I've done periodic searches out of curiosity. Most of the time, they want you to provide an email address, which I don't do. I do visit a site that lists nursing home costs vs. other options such as daycare or at home care. New Jersey is one of the most expensive states for those things.
In-Home Care in New Jersey - Caring.com
A couple of decades ago, my mother had to go into a nursing home. I didn't have a computer then to do a search. She wound up in a home that looked nice, but the staff was lacking, so I transferred her to another one which turned out to be great. I believe our doctor had recommended both.
In-Home Care in New Jersey - Caring.com
A couple of decades ago, my mother had to go into a nursing home. I didn't have a computer then to do a search. She wound up in a home that looked nice, but the staff was lacking, so I transferred her to another one which turned out to be great. I believe our doctor had recommended both.
Mobilman44
Member
My wife and I were part time caregivers for her Mother (totally incapacitated) for two plus years before we had to place her in a facility. Trust me, being even a part time caregiver is truly WORK with an emotional edge. We found - by word of mouth - a somewhat small, privately owned facility. The staff was all younger Hispanic women, and IMO very happy to have a job in such a nice clean place. Mom got wonderful care, and we visited many times at different hours and confirmed she was being really watched over.
The cost (in Houston, 2008-10) was $3,500/month, which was likely less than one would pay at a larger facility for that level of care ($5k - $6k?). We did provide various clothing items and medical supplies, but no big dollar items.
The owner was well known in the community, and really cared about her patients. After two years, we felt almost a family connection with the folks there, and when Mom passed, it was hard to say goodbye to them.
Moving on, I will offer one piece of advice....... so much of what the fancy facilities present is "show" - like chandeliers, grand pianos, well dressed staff, etc. What really matters is the quality of care the resident will receive, and believe me, that care is mostly given by the lowest level folks staffing the place. So if you have someone in a home, make many visits, unscheduled and irregular, and you will soon get a feel for what is going on.
The cost (in Houston, 2008-10) was $3,500/month, which was likely less than one would pay at a larger facility for that level of care ($5k - $6k?). We did provide various clothing items and medical supplies, but no big dollar items.
The owner was well known in the community, and really cared about her patients. After two years, we felt almost a family connection with the folks there, and when Mom passed, it was hard to say goodbye to them.
Moving on, I will offer one piece of advice....... so much of what the fancy facilities present is "show" - like chandeliers, grand pianos, well dressed staff, etc. What really matters is the quality of care the resident will receive, and believe me, that care is mostly given by the lowest level folks staffing the place. So if you have someone in a home, make many visits, unscheduled and irregular, and you will soon get a feel for what is going on.
Lethe200
Senior Member
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
Check your state's websites - ours, as many other states do, posts the results of required annual inspections. One important stat that may take some digging: find out what the staffing turnover ratio has been and is currently. That will tell you the most about what kind of place it is to work for.
Especially for non-profits that have been bought up by Big Corp. to be turned into for-profit facilities - if you see a mass exodus within a short period of time (say, 6 mos to a year), it's a Big Red Flag. Many corps. try to eliminate as much staffing as possible, even skimping on the minimum patient-to-caregiver ratios.
Especially for non-profits that have been bought up by Big Corp. to be turned into for-profit facilities - if you see a mass exodus within a short period of time (say, 6 mos to a year), it's a Big Red Flag. Many corps. try to eliminate as much staffing as possible, even skimping on the minimum patient-to-caregiver ratios.