Affordable Assisted Living Options for Seniors

There are over 30,000 assisted living communities in the US, but it'll take some work to find affordable senior care.

If your loved one is starting to show signs that they're struggling to maintain their former lifestyle, it might be time to think about senior living facilities. These amazing communities are in place to help elderly people live more fruitful, relaxed lives in a comfortable setting.

The only problem is that the average cost of assisted living facilities sits at around $4,500 per month or $54,000 per year. Most people would struggle to come up with that amount of money, but budget-friendly assisted living is available if you know how to find it.

Today, we'll tell you how to find the right community for your loved one. The most important thing is to strike a balance between affordability and quality, so keep reading and we'll tell you the most important criteria to consider.

Understand Your Needs

Before you can start searching for assisted living in earnest, it's important to understand what services your loved one needs. If you don't, you won't optimize your budget. There are a few different types of senior living available depending on your loved one's physical and mental health.

First is an independent living community. This is meant for healthy seniors who want a more relaxed and low-maintenance lifestyle. They'll be around other seniors and participate in a variety of daily activities to keep them engaged and occupied.

Next is assisted living. These communities look after seniors who struggle with things like dressing, bathing, cooking, and mobility due to health complications. Staff are available 24/7 to assist with each resident's unique needs so that they can live comfortably in old age.

If your loved one is one of the seven million Americans dealing with Alzheimer's or dementia, they may need memory care. These communities have highly trained and experienced staff on-site to tackle these unique challenges. The communities themselves are kept safer and more secure to prevent wandering and falling.

Come Up With a Budget

It's also important to come up with a reasonable budget before you begin looking at communities. As mentioned, the average cost of assisted living is around $4,500 per month, but you can find more affordable solutions.

Quality communities understand the financial restrictions of some seniors. When you start talking to different options, find out how customizable their services are. You may not need everything that the community offers, which may help you save money.

You should also look into insurance and benefits. Your loved one may be entitled to extra funds that can help supplement senior care.

Look at Reviews

With the housekeeping out of the way, you can start finding the perfect community for your loved one. Type, "assisted living communities near me" into Google and you'll be given all of the options nearby.

Location is incredibly important in your search for senior living. The transition can be overwhelming for many seniors, so it's good to find a community that's accessible to family and friends. The more visitors they have, especially in the beginning, the easier the transition will be.

To separate the best communities from the rest, look at reviews. These statements from loved ones of current and former residents can shed plenty of light on a community's staff and offerings. Choose the communities with the best reputations and schedule tours.

Tour the Communities

It's important to tour the communities with your loved one. During a tour, you can meet with staff members and observe residents to get a general sense of what daily life will be like.

Come up with a list of questions and concerns to ask your tour guide. You'll want to ask about staff training, especially if you're looking into memory care. It's always a good idea to speak to staff members to gauge their level of competence and compassion.

Find out about safety and accessibility features, how medications are administered, and individual care plans. You should also ask how often medical professionals visit the community, which is important for assisted living and memory care especially.

You'll have your own concerns, but these questions can help you understand what you're getting for your money.

Amenities and Activities

Every assisted living community should have unique on-site amenities to boost the quality of life for its residents. Some communities might put more emphasis on health and wellness with a gym and spa. Others might put their resources towards a beautiful outdoor space.

The specific amenities that a community offers can often be the tipping point in your decision. The same is true of the activity calendar. All good communities should have a daily activity calendar full of diverse and exciting activities for residents to participate in.

Most activities should be geared toward the emotional, physical, and cognitive health of residents. You might see yoga or Tai Chi in the morning and puzzles and games in the evening.

Senior activity calendars are important for health and socialization. Seniors should get no less than 2.5 hours of physical activity per week to help reduce the risk of various health issues, for example. They also need to enjoy group activities to socialize and avoid feelings of isolation.

Choose the community that offers amenities and activities that excite your loved one. They should have every opportunity to look after their physical health and socialize with other residents in assisted living.

Dining

Nutrition is also important to senior health. When touring the community, always make sure to ask about in-house dining. Rooms should be equipped with full kitchens, but many seniors aren't able to cook for themselves.

An in-house restaurant should provide a rotating menu of balanced meals that account for the dietary needs of seniors. Good nutrition hinges on them getting their daily dose of things like fiber, vitamin D, and calcium.

The Cost of Assisted Living Facilities Doesn't Have to Break the Bank

The cost of assisted living facilities doesn't have to bankrupt you. There are plenty of affordable senior living facilities out there that offer many of the things we've talked about here.

One of those such communities in Iowa is Addington Place of Des Moines. We offer the finest community services with highly trained staff and amazing amenities. To tour our Des Moines community with your loved one, contact us today.