Senior care is a great choice for seniors who need regular check-ins and constant reminders to take their medications. In senior care, seniors can maintain their freedom while still having the support of caregivers, doctors, and other medical professionals accessible to help them whenever they need it. Senior care can provide families with a sense of security and tranquility. As a whole, assisted living is good for both elderly people and their loved ones. If you or a loved one have been considering senior care costs in Collier County, FL, the initial cost estimate may leave you feeling overwhelmed. There is typically a monthly fee for senior care, with additional fees for higher levels of service. If you do the math, you may be surprised to discover that the monthly cost of senior care is less than what the senior would pay for a similar apartment in the assisted living community.
Senior Care Assisted Living Amenities
Many services and amenities are provided to senior care on a regular basis and are included in the monthly charge. The monthly rent for senior care with assisted living often includes the apartment itself, as well as utilities, garbage service, television, and sometimes even WiFi. The monthly price covers all of the meals and snacks supplied throughout the month, which amounts to three healthy and tasty meals per day and any snacks offered at events. Oftentimes, the monthly cost also covers transportation to and from doctor’s appointments and other nearby attractions. These amenities are great, but what really sets senior care apart is the availability of full-time, expert medical care. Continuous care is provided by trained professionals in senior care assisted living facilities. A team of nurses is always on hand to help with anything from patient care to doctor-patient or resident-inhabitant dialogue. Since most pharmacies offer direct delivery to assisted living communities, residents rarely if ever have to make special trips to pick up medications or take charge of filling refills or new orders. Caregivers are on hand to help residents with activities of daily living like getting dressed, using the bathroom, and moving around the community.
Senior Care Cost Breakdown
Most bills at assisted living communities can be covered by a single monthly fee. Costs can pile up rapidly for a senior who decides to live independently in the community rather than move into an assisted living community. To give you an idea of what I’m talking about, senior care cost in Collier County, FL estimates that a home health aid can charge up to $26 per hour to help with things like food prep and general household upkeep. At an assisted living community, seniors have access to caregiver support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, at home, seniors must hire caregivers on an as-needed basis, which can add up to a significant cost. In addition to the cost of in-person help, a resident who chooses to remain in their own home may incur expenses such as a mortgage of roughly $1,000 per month and utilities of around $300 per month. Costs for a senior to live independently at home are comparable to, or even more than, those of an assisted living facility, including food, transportation, house upkeep (such as lawn care services), and senior center participation fees.