We see a lot of questions on cost around here, and I figured it would be useful to just share our and our family’s direct personal experiences on this issue with concrete examples in hopes that others will do the same and help us solidify our overall understanding.
My dh works at a ccrc high rise that doesn’t provide memory or nursing care. During his interviews, he was encouraged to view the residents (or the “members” as they call them, as if they were on a cruise ship. Which is that the members or their families are expected to provide aides for ADLs, cognitive decline, etc. They only have 20 beds for al, whose residents not only must keep paying their bill but now must pay double to move to one room in which there’s an actual al staff to check up on you every couple of hours.
The latest to join the membership club paid 600k for a 2bd condo that now carries a $9,500 monthly “hoa” that gets them weekly housekeeping, access to the very nice library and pool. They have in house restaurants comparable to four star restaurants where a filet mignon is 25 bucks vs 45 and where you don’t have to tip. However, it’s not free food. If they’re relying on it, that’s another $1,500.
I looked into a comp place in Kalispell, MT and they had a $200K+ fee to get in. My niece wants me to move there, but that was a deal breaker for me. I am thinking that for the time being, I will hire help for a few hours a day, a few days a week to fix some meals and do light housework, so I can stay in my own condo. I haven't any children and my niece (sisters' daughter) is my only resource. She is caring for her mother in assisted living, soon to be MC and I don't want to put more pressure on her to take care of me as long as I can do it myself. At 83, I am in relatively good health and am still able to drive. However, my niece is sure I will drop dead at any minute and today had the sheriff's dept do a wellness check because I went to lunch, then shopping and left my cell in my car. We now have her phone set up to track my phone so she will know where I am (or at least my phone).
My sister's (85) income is Social Security, so Medicare pays for her to live in a place with 9 other residents with has one small room + bath. The shower is shared and there is no pool. For what it is, it's nice and the people working there seem to be caring. Like my brother (88), my income is too high to be eligible for Government funds.
It takes a lot of research and compromise to find the right place to match with your LO's income, physical and mental abilities, and expectations. Personally, I think resources are all over the place in price and amenities and are charging whatever the traffic will bear. They are profit making organizations with not much government oversight.
Yes, it was probably THE nicest facility we could find, and money wasn't even an concern.
A much less 'nice' ALF was about $5K, with add ons being in the $1-2K per month--and not nearly so nice. Also had an air of despondency that was palpable. Everything seemed cloaked in a fine layer of grime.
She was actually moved into the better place and lived only 8 days there and passed away. She was out about $10K b/c there was a non-refundable deposit and she did have to pay the whole month's rent.
Also, as a side note--her evaluation prior to moving her in showed that she would be best in the ALF side of the facility. Once they did a REAL eval, she was being moved to the MC unit. It would have been a base rate of $12K a month.
You get what you pay for.
all this before you even tack on the “medical” part to the care. Now if you are in a facility expect 10k per month.or more. The game is to go bankrupt so the government will pay.
I use her income to pay for a sitter (I have 3 private sitters who come on different days as needed). Maybe 16 hours each week at $20/hour = $320 per week on average.
I use her income to pay for her toiletries, depends, pads, her clothing as needed, a portion of the grocery bill, etc. All of that is maybe $400 / month.
So it costs roughly $1700 / month to care for my mother with most of that being sitters to give me a break.
https://www.seniorcare.com/adult-day-care/resources/adult-day-care-costs/
I guess they don’t see a lot of Medi-Cal residents in there, do they.
California: $6500/mo board & care with private room, never more than six residents at a time. Everything provided: Adjustable bed, comforters, dresser, nightstands, recliner, lamps, all toiletries needed for bathing.
(Walking in and seeing my mom's hair styled, wearing a crown, surrounded by balloons, flowers, and gifts from "her girls" on her birthday: Priceless)
Beautiful newer home, very modern, open kitchen to great room, high ceilings with lots of natural lighting, three full baths with walk in showers, one being a roll in, nice decor, wood plantation shudders, backyard with outside patio and string lighting, and always extremely clean. State reports and unannounced inspections pass with flying colors. Three home cooked meals per day plus snacks and all laundry services included. Manicures and polish every Sunday as needed or desired. Owned locally and owner is always in there making sure things are running smoothly. Two aides and a supervisor (divides her time between two homes) during the day. One med tech always on duty. Staff frequently texts with photos and videos and have answered the phone within three rings 100% of the time day or evening.
Increase of 3% expected in January of each year and one-on-one is extra (it’s in the contract but not in front of me at the moment). The 1:1 is considered dedicated 24/7 with resident 100% of the time.
Same company provides in home services at $38/hr base with 4/hr minimum.
California rates vary a lot. Dh’s ccrc is in Silicon Valley. Were it in the Central Valley, it’d be probably half that.
NH or LTC $12-$18,000 per month
I wouldn't buy a 600k place then add on the $9,500, crazy to me.
rent was. It includes all his meals, cleaning his room and transportation to MD appts. if needed although we take care of those now since we are here. There is also a bi-weekly shopping trip to Wal-Mart. He is still at care level 1 which includes medication management. If he needs more assistance with bathing and dressing and mobility then he goes up a level and so does his monthly fee. The residents are reassessed regularly. There are activities provided but he does not participate.
Mom and dad paid $6500 a month 10 years ago in AL for both of them in a 1 bedroom, with dad needing highest level care.
Mom paid $6700 a month for a suite in Memory Care Assisted Living in 2022 which was a smallish room and bathroom. All services were included but incontinence supplies were extra. Meds, doctor bills, phone and personal items were extra too. Again, in the greater Denver metro area.
Super expensive no matter what.
I would imagine, it being four years on this is much more at this point. He had beautiful grounds there, cleaning, laundry provided. Very excellent oversite and care.
I do know at that time it would have easily cost TWICE that in the bay area.