Assisted Living News

As you prepare for a move to assisted living,  you’re probably hearing a lot about how much you have to get rid of. A room in an assisted living community has limited space, and for most seniors, that means you’ll have to downsize before moving. But you want to be careful not to go too far in the opposite direction and get rid of items you actually need to bring with you. Assisted living communities will provide a lot of what you need, but they don’t provide everything. If you get rid of certain esse...

Even those who have communicative and open relationships with their parents can find it hard to start conversations about their parent’s ability to take care of themselves. You and your parent may both know they would benefit from moving into assisted living, but the thought is often so full of emotion and stress, it can be a difficult conversation to start. Learn more about how to have an assisted living conversation with your parents, using these five conversation starters. 5 Tips for Having an Ass...

Our current healthcare system in the United States if often overcrowded and under-supported, with most hospitals and short-stay facilities focused on one primary goal: to move patients along as quickly as possible. While our current systems may focus on efficiency, they lack success when it comes to patient satisfaction, readmission rates and staffing resources. These models are also not meeting the needs of the most vulnerable users, many of whom are seniors. Age-Friendly Health Systems are differen...

Moving into assisted living can be both emotionally and financially draining for seniors and their families. Having a strategic financial plan in place is important for not only your financial peace of mind but also your wallet. Here are five ways to make assisted living more affordable. Top 5 Ways to Make Assisted Living More Affordable According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University in a report they did for AARP, the biggest expenses for seniors are healthcare and housing. T...

Last Updated: December 20, 2018 A move to an assisted living community is a major financial decision. Learn how to make your assisted living budget go further by focusing your search on nearby cities with the most affordable options. Stretch Your Assisted Living Budget With the Senior Living Cost Index Typical assisted living costs range nationally from $2,225 to 6,307 per month. That’s $26,701-75,682 per year. The cost depends in part on the level of amenities you desire, but more than anythin...

Many Americans count on Social Security as a major source of their retirement income, yet they are unclear on how the benefit works or are unaware of all the benefits available. Learn whether your Social Security retirement planning is on track and if you are maximizing your payout to help with your assisted living costs. Benefits to Use for Assisted Living Costs Assisted living and healthcare costs are the most expensive costs of retirement. Social Security benefits are a major source of income to h...

For many of us, the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year with family gatherings and festive events to look forward to. However, for seniors in assisted living or those in isolation, the holidays may not be as enjoyable. Learn more about how to bring holiday cheer to your parents and senior loved ones in assisted living this season. Helping Seniors in Assisted Living Avoid Isolation During the Holidays Isolation is difficult to detect in seniors and not a topic that is openly discusse...

If you are researching assisted living for yourself, a parent or senior loved one, the single most important step of that research is to visit a senior living community. No amount of viewing floor plans, photos or reviews can substitute for an in-person visit to an assisted living community. Reasons to Tour Assisted Living Communities During the Holidays Even if you’re not sure if a senior living community is in your near future, it’s prudent to see the communities in your area in case an unexpected ...

Being prepared for end-of-life costs is an important piece of retirement planning as assisted living and long-term care account for the majority of expenses in our later years. Learn more about assisted living costs and read our tips for becoming more fiscally fit for longevity in assisted living. How to Be Fiscally Fit for Longevity in Assisted Living According to the Genworth 2018 Cost of Care Survey, assisted living communities cost $45,000, while semi-private nursing homes cost $85,775 and privat...

Many aging Americans are unprepared for the costs associated with long-term care. An assisted living community can easily cost as much per month as the mortgage for a home, which can drain retirement nest eggs faster than one might think. Preparing for the unexpected is an important part of retirement planning. Read more about assisted living costs and see our tips on building better financial strategies for your retirement. Being Realistic About Assisted Living Costs The majority of baby boomers are...

Last Updated: September 27, 2018 Change is difficult, so it’s natural that seniors can have difficulty transitioning to an assisted living community. While there are many benefits of assisted living, there’s no getting around the fact that the move involves changes that seniors don’t always like. Psychologist Dr. Deborah L. Stote said in an interview, “Older adults who are moving from their home into assisted living typically encounter varying degrees of adjustment disorder.&#...

When choosing a retirement community for yourself, a parent or senior loved one, there are a lot of factors to consider. Ensuring current health needs are met is important, but will the senior living community be able to meet future health needs as well? Learn more information about continuing care and senior care options for seniors, and also about the benefits of moving into assisted living early. Benefits of Moving Into Assisted Living As seniors age, their health needs grow, which is why it’s alw...

Assisted living and retirement communities across North America have reevaluated the ways in which they provide care and stimulation to their residents and the results have been incredible. One strategy has been to create a shared space for both seniors and students – ranging from elementary to college – to interact and learn together in assisted living. This intergenerational atmosphere is not only a great use of often-scant resources and space, it is also beneficial for the overall wellness of both...

Last Updated: August 16, 2018 In the last decade, senior housing developers have focused on an increasingly popular form of senior living: university-based retirement communities. These senior living communities are providing both students and residents many benefits in an intergenerational and stimulating environment. Learn more about how seniors are going back to school while residing in university-based retirement communities. The Benefits of Senior Housing at Universities Senior housing on univer...

Many people use “assisted living,” “long-term care” and “retirement home” interchangeably when investigating different senior living and care options for a parent or senior loved one; however, the differences vary greatly. It is important to understand the style of care each senior living option provides before planning for your senior loved one to transition from their current living arrangement. What Kind of Care Is Provided in Assisted Living? According to an article published by The San Diego Uni...