One of the biggest questions around senior living communities is: Can I afford to live in a senior living community?
While every situation is different, there are many scenarios and options when you or your loved one want to explore assisted living in St. Louis. As you begin to look at communities and compare costs, there are a few general considerations to keep in mind.
The cost of homeownership. Annual expenses, such as mortgage payments, home insurance, taxes, and unexpected expenses, such as replacing an air conditioning unit or fixing plumbing, all add up. You may also need to hire people to handle other tasks associated with homeownership such as housekeeping and yardwork. When you move to a senior living community, you don’t have to worry about these things. If something is broken, there’s someone to call who will take care of it. In addition, housekeeping is regularly scheduled and there’s an entire grounds crew who keeps the landscaping looking beautiful.
The cost of home improvements. In addition to small updates, there will be updates you may want to make to your home as you get older. These may include adding grab bars, widening doors, remodeling bathrooms, or rearranging rooms to get everything on one floor. At Lutheran Senior Services communities, patio homes and apartment homes are all arranged in one-floor layouts, with various size options.
The cost of help. If you do stay at home, you could eventually need professional assistance with some daily activities. You could also incur costs with grocery or food delivery and transportation. There’s also the emotional cost of relying on friends, neighbors, and family to help around the home. In a Life Plan Community, all levels of living are there on one campus. So, you have a plan for the future should you ever need more assistance. In addition, a monthly fee that includes your meals, housekeeping, and repairs for example, also provides for extra services and amenities such as wellness centers, educational classes, and transportation.
If you’re considering a move to a senior living community now or in the future, it’s a good idea to start a conversation with a senior living counselor to make sure you are aware of all the options available to you. Exploring communities is also a good idea to make sure that you find the community that’s a great fit for you and your lifestyle. To have someone contact you about LSS senior living communities, fill out this contact form.