Common Senior Living Questions: Answered

Placing your loved one into a senior living community can be challenging because they might feel fearful of moving to an entirely new environment. The reason for this discomfort, however, may come from their senior living questions that are unexplained. Two Senior Living Experts advisors, Kerry Quirin and Nancy Pappas, have answered some of these questions for you. 

How much does senior living cost?

The cost of senior living depends on many factors, as your care needs and location. Pricing ranges from about $2800 for lower-end independent living to $8000 for 24-hour memory care. The pricing is also different for someone who wants in-home care versus someone who wants to live in a senior community. 

Does the cost for senior living go up every year?

Yes. Similar to your expenses at home, a community must maintain their own expenses along with supporting their employees. The cost can go up anywhere from 3-6%. 

Do senior living communities require financial documents?

Financial documents are usually not required by month-to-month rentals. However, continuing care retirement communities will require financial documents because the resident is living there through all of their care needs, and levels of care. 

What happens if my loved one’s level of care changes as they live in the community?

Typically, a senior living community’s nursing staff will conduct ongoing assessments of the resident’s care needs. This will ensure that the resident is always on the correct level of care, receiving just the right amount of care they need on a daily basis. 

What is the difference between Supportive Living and Assisted Living?
Assisted Living

This type of care provides residents with transportation services, housekeeping, and three  meals a day. It also offers personal care, such as bathing, one person transfers, and medication management. These residents reside in a residential apartment and live maintenance free. Staff are available on a 24/7 basis, and activities are planned for residents every day. 

Supportive Living

Supportive Living offers similar care, and it is still located in a residential apartment. The care level in private pay Assisted Living can often be taken further than Supportive Living. The main difference is that it is subsidized by the State of Illinois. Once a resident has spent down all of their assets, they have the option to go on Medicaid. These people will not be required to move out of their apartment if they need to utilize this option. 

If you believe your loved one will need Medicaid in the future, Supportive Living is the best option for you. We recommend establishing residency at a Supportive Living Community sooner than later. This should be done before you have spent down your assets, as you will have more  options to choose from. 

For example, if you have $70,000 in assets, you will have a wider range of communities to choose from. If you have $20,000 in assets, you will be eligible for fewer Medicaid Options. If you need help with this process, you can contact Senior Living Experts for more guidance. 

How are staff trained?

It is preferred that those with a Certified Nursing Assistant License are hired, so that it is confirmed they have been through the proper training. Staff who work in Memory Care are specifically trained to work with residents who are experiencing cognitive decline. They need to know how to interact with the anxiety and behaviors that can often occur from someone with memory loss. 

What activities can my loved one get involved in?

The activity directors always have something fun planned for the seniors. These activities range from outings, to lecture series,  movie nights,  Bingo (of course!) Your loved one will always have something to get involved in while they are in the community. 

How will my loved one get to the grocery store?

There are buses that are planned to take residents on a scheduled, weekly basis. The bus can take them to grocery stores, doctors appointments, pharmacies, dollar stores, etc. The bus typically comes to the community two days a week, so residents should consider those dates when planning appointments. 

It is our responsibility to know the answers to these questions and provide you with support when you are moving your loved one into a community. Senior Living Experts is a senior referral service based out of Chicagoland, and we help you or your loved one find a place to live. We are here to guide you through financial issues, finding a perfect location, and making sure your future community will provide the appropriate type of care. We can also connect you with Elder Law Attorneys, Geriatric Care Managers, Real Estate Agents, and more. 

If you feel you may need more clarification about senior living, contact Senior Living Experts at 773-231-7212 or visit www.seniorlivingexperts.com. Our advisors would be happy to answer any questions you may have.