No matter what you are buying, you always want to get the best value possible for the money you spend. Choosing a senior living community is no different. As an educated buyer, you want the best service, amenities, and environment – for a price that fits your budget. How can you find out what is the best senior living value in your community? By doing what any smart consumer does; educating yourself, shopping around, and understanding what value in a community means to you!
Senior Living Options
There are many senior living options available. Depending on the level of care you need and the kind of lifestyle you want to lead, their services and amenities vary greatly. Start learning about the different types of care such as home health and independent living or high-care levels like assisted living and memory care. You can’t start deciding what is a better value in senior living until you understand what kind of care you will need and the types of communities able to provide it to you.
Senior Living Budget
Another essential step in the process is determining what type of community you can afford. The cost of senior living can be complicated, but it can be helpful to take all of your monthly expenses including house payments, utilities, food, and transportation and add them into one lump sum to find your monthly cost of living. Many senior living communities include all these types of charges into one monthly fee. When you allocate yearly costs like home insurance and taxes, the amount you can afford may be surprising. Remember, you will still need money left over for discretionary spending on the little things that make life enjoyable! Once you have a figure to work with, you can start comparison shopping senior living communities near you.
Shopping Around
Depending on your location and the amount of senior living options available in the area, the cost of care can vary greatly. The is why comparison shopping senior living communities is so important! Start by finding communities you like based on the environment and services offered, and request a price quote for the room or floorplan that interests you. Communities should provide a breakdown of what services, amenities, and utilities are included in the price. Some communities offer a la carte amenities and services for a little extra each month, like upgraded cable or restaurant-style breakfasts. Make sure you understand exactly what you are getting and exactly how much it will cost.
Speaking to Residents
To understand if you truly get what you pay for, talk to the residents. They are going to be the best resource to know if a communities price matches with the lifestyle and services offered. Online senior housing review sites, like Lilisity, survey current residents to gather their thoughts and feelings about the community they call home. You can also visit communities you are interested in to gain an in-person opinion. However, you should remember that not everyone will be in the same financial situation, have the same care needs, or have opted-in to the same amenities. Finding a current resident who mirrors your own situation can give you the best idea of whether or not the community is worth the price!
Defining Value
Finally, you need to understand what value means to you! Are you a relatively simple person and the best price always wins, no matter the trade-offs? Or do you want a certain amenity in a community that will make everyday shine, like an on-site pool, happy hour, or interesting group outings? You can't put a price on your daily comfort, so you need to understand your own personal preferences and needs before making a decision.
Finding value in senior living is easy when you understand the industry, your financial capabilities, and personal preferences. Start today to find what the “best value” in senior living community is for you!