{"id":13728,"date":"2018-07-09T07:00:25","date_gmt":"2018-07-09T12:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senioradvisor.com\/blog\/?p=13728"},"modified":"2018-07-09T11:01:56","modified_gmt":"2018-07-09T16:01:56","slug":"avoid-costly-mistakes-in-your-senior-living-search","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/d30braiqprupoq.cloudfront.net\/blog\/2018\/07\/avoid-costly-mistakes-in-your-senior-living-search\/","title":{"rendered":"Avoid Costly Mistakes in Your Senior Living Search"},"content":{"rendered":"

Avoid Costly Mistakes in Your Senior Living Search<\/h1>\n

The cost of senior living care continues to rise\u00a0each year, but many costs can be significantly lessened if you do your homework ahead of time.\"Avoid<\/p>\n

As baby boomers reach retirement age and start needing long-term care, both costs and demand for various kinds of senior living are expected to rise. The average monthly cost in 2018 for assisted living was $3,750, according to\u00a0A Place for Mom\u2019s\u00a0Senior Living Price Index<\/a>.\u00a0The good news is, many unnecessary expenditures can be mitigated with proper planning and research into a senior living search.<\/p>\n

The Cost of Senior Care<\/h2>\n

Though Medicare and Medicaid cover the largest proportion of senior care expenses, the amount of Americans who pay out of pocket for senior living is still staggering.<\/p>\n

According to a\u00a0MetLife Market Survey of Long-Term Care Costs<\/a>, nursing care cost over $90,000 annually; assisted living cost over $42,000 and home health aide services cost about $21,000.<\/p>\n

The numbers are daunting, but don\u2019t let them scare you away. There are a number of ways caregivers can cut senior care costs, from medical-expense tax deductions to pricing incentives.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Tips to\u00a0Avoid Costly Mistakes in Your Senior Living Search<\/h2>\n

By taking enough time in your senior living search to find the right place for a senior’s specific care needs and using these tips, you can avoid overpaying for senior living:<\/p>\n

1. Ask About Incentives and Specials<\/h3>\n

\u201cYou should always ask if there are incentives or specials,\u201d says Rick Westermann, VP of Partner Services at A Place for Mom<\/a>. \u201cThere are different incentives that marketing directors offer, and a lot of them aren\u2019t advertised.\u201d For instance, they may waive the entrance fee or community fee, offer a month\u2019s rent for free or pay for moving or downsize costs. Also, some assisted living communities have a limited number of\u00a0Medicaid<\/a>\u00a0apartments available for those residents who outlast their funds or who have limited financial resources to begin with. \u201cGo talk to people and find out what it does take to qualify for Medicaid, or in California, MediCal. Find out what those limits are because it\u2019s going to help you understand what you need to do,\u201d advises Terry Swehla, CFP, CLTC, Managing Director at United Capital Private Wealth Counseling in\u00a0Modesto, California<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2. Find Out About Additional Fees<\/h3>\n

Many communities charge a community fee, deposit or an entrance fee. This is a one-time fee that varies according to the market and is usually non-refundable. Make sure you read the small print and understand what these fees are and whether or not they are refundable.<\/p>\n

3. Get Help From an Advisor<\/h3>\n

Whether it\u2019s someone you know who has looked for senior care\u00a0before\u00a0or a\u00a0professional senior advisor<\/a>\u00a0like those at A Place for Mom or Senior Advisor<\/a>, getting advice from someone with recent experience in looking for senior living can be invaluable, especially if they\u2019re familiar with the various options in your area and can explain them to you. A financial advisor can also be a great help in planning ahead for the cost of senior care. \u201cThe planning process starts way back. I talk to all my clients about the prospect of assisted living care in the future, once they turn 50,\u201d says Swehla.<\/p>\n

4. Plan Ahead<\/h3>\n

Don\u2019t wait until you\u2019re desperate and have limited options. Compare communities and get on waiting lists if they are available. Read online reviews and talk to as many people as possible. Another great option: \u201cTry it before you buy it \u2014 ask to do a trial stay in a community,\u201d\u00a0Westermann recommends. \u201cTalk to residents and staff during the visit to see what they\u2019re like. You can learn a lot about the community that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

5. Understand the Cost of Care<\/h3>\n

\u201cUnderstand the proper level of care your loved one needs,\u201d says Westermann. Instead of assisted living, \u201cIt might be less expensive to live in an independent retirement community and hire a home health aide to help with day-to-day needs.\u201d If a senior is seeking\u00a0assisted living<\/a>, he recommends getting an assessment done by the nurse of each community you\u2019re looking at, because they will put together a specific price plan for the level of care you need.<\/p>\n

6. Understand the Monthly Price of a\u00a0Community<\/h3>\n

Compare costs<\/a>\u00a0for\u00a0different communities and what is included in the monthly price for each one. \u201cThe amenities are different with each one, so understand what you get for that monthly rate,\u201d Westermann says. Some may include amenities like laundry services, meals and weekly housekeeping, while other communities charge extra for services like these. Be sure to ask about the base rate and what it includes, and what the costs are for different levels of service.<\/p>\n

Also, ask about the cost of different sizes of apartments if they are available. \u201cThink about the size of apartment you really need,\u201d Westermann suggests. \u201cYou might not need a 2-bedroom apartment. If you can downsize to a 1-bedroom or studio apartment the savings will be significant on a month-to-month basis.\u201d He encourages prospective residents to use the many common areas available in the community instead of paying extra for a larger apartment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Avoid Costly Mistakes in Your Senior Living Search The cost of senior living care continues to rise\u00a0each year, but many costs can be significantly lessened if you do your homework ahead of time. As baby boomers reach retirement age and start needing long-term care, both costs and demand for various kinds of senior living are expected to rise. The average […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7026,"featured_media":13735,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[200,162,2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-13728","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-families-caregivers","8":"category-retirement-planning","9":"category-senior-living"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nAvoid Costly Mistakes in Your Senior Living Search<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The cost of senior care keeps rising, but can be lessened if you do your homework. 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