Affordable Independent Living Options for Seniors
There are over 30,000 senior living communities in the country, as it stands, with over 800,000 residents in total.
When you start looking at pricing independent senior housing, you may be struck by the costs involved. The average price for a spot in one of these communities is around $4,500 per month, which works out to $54,000 per year - not exactly affordable for most.
But, there are budget-friendly senior apartments out there. In today's post, we'll discuss budgeting for seniors and tell you how to find a community that gives your loved one everything they need without breaking the bank.
Retirement shouldn't stretch your family out financially. Keep reading and let us help you put your loved one in the best possible situation.
Budgeting For Seniors
Coming up with a budget for senior living isn't easy. There are plenty of budgeting tactics widely mentioned on the internet, so you can do independent research to figure out how to raise the funds for your loved one's retirement. They may even have money set aside for this very reason.
It's also important to discuss your financial restrictions with communities that you're interested in. Many communities will offer customizable services to help residents who have budget concerns. It may involve choosing a smaller room or opting out of particular services that they don't need.
Lastly, there are options available for low-income seniors to subsidize their senior care needs. The SSI and SSDI are two examples of government-issued benefits that can supplement your senior living funds.
Figure Out Their Needs
Putting the work into budgeting is important, but so is making the right decision for your loved one's unique needs. By choosing the right type of care, you'll spend wisely and maximize the money that you're putting into senior care.
There are a few different types of senior care for various senior needs. If your loved one is relatively healthy but would benefit from downsizing their living situation and spending time around their peers, an independent senior living community is the best choice.
When they need more help with daily activities, like bathing, getting dressed, and taking medication, assisted living is better. These communities have staff available to help residents 24/7 so that they can enjoy a relaxed, care-free lifestyle.
If your loved one is one of the 7 million American seniors dealing with cognitive decline, memory care is the right choice. These are assisted living communities with specialized staff who are trained in helping those with Alzheimer's and dementia symptoms.
Find the Right Location
When you start looking for affordable senior residence options, start with a Google search. This will give you all of the options in your local area.
Location is crucial in the search for senior housing. The transition into a senior home is difficult for everyone, but you can make the transition easier by selecting a community in a familiar setting. Their community should also be accessible to friends and family - visitors can help ease the transition as well.
Look at Reviews
To choose the best local senior housing communities, start by looking at reviews from loved ones of current and former residents. These can tell you almost everything you need to know about the way a community operates.
The best thing about reading reviews is that they can raise red flags in your search for senior communities. If there are problems with the way staff treat residents or issues with dining options, you'll find out in the reviews.
Use these to narrow your selection down to 3-5 of the best communities. Book tours of these communities for yourself and your loved one.
Take Community Tours
Community tours give you and your loved one the ability to see things for yourselves. It's important to show up to these tours prepared with a list of questions for your tour guide. Here are a few areas of concern that you should pay close attention to:
Staff Expertise
During your tour, make sure to ask about staff training. You want your loved one to have compassionate and qualified staff members helping them with whatever they need.
While you're taking the tour, try to pay attention to the way staff members operate. You can even try to talk to some of them to ask more pointed questions about day-to-day life in the community.
Amenities and Rooms
Your loved one should be able to choose between several senior residence options. While selecting a more compact room can help you save money, it's important that they feel at home in the room.
In terms of amenities, these are often the thing that tips the balance when choosing one community over another. Every community offers unique amenities. One might have a pool and beautiful outdoor spaces, while another might have a gym and entertainment room.
Your loved one's days must be enjoyable in senior living. Amenities play a big role in their lifestyle, so make sure you see everything a community has to offer on your tour.
Activities for Health and Wellness
Good communities will have a daily activity calendar with activities geared toward physical health, socialization, and improved cognition.
Seniors need around 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week to prevent injury and disease. Look for activities like yoga, walking, or Tai Chi so you know your loved one's health is prioritized.
Also look for game nights, puzzles, music performances, and gardening. These things are important for socialization, boosting cognitive health, and emotional wellbeing.
In-House Dining
Nutrition is just as important as physical fitness in seniors. A good community will have rooms equipped with full kitchens. They'll also have in-house dining for residents who can't or don't want to cook for themselves.
Seniors need plenty of nutrients to stay healthy. Look at the menu on offer to ensure it gives your loved one a rotating menu of tasty and healthy meals each day.
Affordable Senior Retirement is Possible
Budgeting for seniors can be overwhelming when looking into retirement communities. We hope this guide has shed some light on the process of finding affordable senior communities near you.
At Belle Aire Towers, we provide budget-friendly but exceptional senior living services in Belle Aire. With amazing staff, countless amenities, and daily activities, your loved one will live their best life. Contact us today to book a tour of our community.