The costs of Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) vary across the United States. Depending on which state you are in, costs can range from $1500 to $5000 dollars per month for an ALF. With this large of a range, it is easy to wonder just what you are getting for your money- and if it is worth the cost.
Base Cost of Assisted Living
The base monthly cost of living in an ALF typically covers room, board and meals. The monthly rent may also cover housekeeping, laundry and transportation- though some facilities may charge a fee for each of these services. Electricity and heating are normally included, but basic cable and telephone service may not be.
If this sounds confusing, that’s because it is!
All monthly costs are calculated on the level of care needed by the resident. Each facility has a set fee for every service offered and in some cases, they are not upfront when a person comes in to view the facility or phones for prices. That is not to say all facilities hide fees, just that enough have to to cause a great amount of irritation when the bills are due. Imagine:
You are elderly with no immediate family to help you determine which facility is best for you. After researching many assisted living communities in your area, one seems to have everything you need at an affordable rate. Fees are explained to you using the base rate. Like many older people, you do not ask for clarification on certain points to avoid looking ‘stupid’. The end result? More services are needed than originally thought after a few weeks to a month of care and the cost of living in the ALF skyrockets.
So, why did this happen? Because too many older people are afraid of asking questions and the ALF sales staff may not be trained to explain every part of the fee structure in understandable terms. In other words- layman terms.
Find out ALL the Costs Involved
To help clear the air – whether you are in search of a facility for yourself or a loved one- you should ask for clarification of every possible fee. For instance:
- - What is basic rent?
- - Are meals included? How many?
- - Are snacks included?
- - Is there a charge for housekeeping and laundry?
- - Is there a charge for facility transportation?
- - Are telephone and basic cable included?
- - What is the charge per level of care?
Always ask how much each non-included service will add to the monthly fee. Knowing every charge, including taxes, will reduce the ‘sticker-shock’ that comes with your first payment.
Remember that there will be some savings for residents that have been paying for rent, insurances, and other home maintenance fees for most of their adult lives. No out of pocket cost for groceries if meals are included, no basic costs- like toilet paper and cleaning supplies, and other small day to day costs. These can add up in the long run, but every resident should know and get exactly what they are paying for.
Tags: assisted living costs, assisted living pricing, base costs
