If your parents are in their “golden years”, chances are they will need help maintaining their independence someday soon. So let’s take a few minutes and explore all their options so you can collaborate with them to figure out what is the best fit. We will summarize each option based on your loved one’s physical and mental abilities as well as the estimated monthly cost for each type of facility.
INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITIES
Courtesy of Discovery Village at Twin Creeks (Allen)
Physical/Mental Abilities
High, minimal lifestyle support required.
Overview
Independent living communities are a great place for active, healthy seniors who no longer want the responsibility of taking care of their own house. If normal physical activities are no problem for your parents, then they will enjoy the company of other seniors through various social activities. The living arrangements are typically multi-story buildings similar to apartment complexes with elevators and easy to navigate interior hallways. Some higher end options offer villas or cottages with more privacy.
Courtesy of Overture (Flower Mound) - Modern Living
Estimated Monthly Cost
$1,500 to $4,000+
Examples
Additional Notes
Most communities include some type of planned activities and may have on site hair salon, movie theater, dining hall and craft area; may have fitness center and organized water aerobics and chair exercises; happy hour / social hour; higher end may include planned excursions to local concerts, museums, etc, and may offer free transportation to things like doctors appointments and shopping. The main difference in pricing for both these types of facilities is the level of service provided and whether it is an all in one package or you can customize the package to only the services you need such as housekeeping, transportation or meals.
ASSISTED LIVING HOMES & COMMUNITIES
Courtesy of Brookdale Senior Living in McKinney, Plano and beyond.
Physical/Mental Abilities
Middle Range, with significant lifestyle support required.
Overview
The assisted living care model is a solution for aging seniors who are having issues with daily activities like showering, getting dressed, preparing meals, managing their medications or getting to the restroom easily. The ability to maintain independence may decline, but with consistent daily help from elderly care professionals your parent can still control their routine and have a fulfilling lifestyle. The living arrangements are usually single rooms in a residential home or their own suite in an multi-story building.
Estimated Monthly Cost
$3,400 to $6,000+
Courtesy of Briarview Senior Living in Carrollton
Examples
Additional Notes
If your loved ones do not require skilled nursing care, this is the most common option. The Assisted Living care model typically includes three meals a day in a common dining area; staff available for personal needs; amenities like 24-hour security, housekeeping, medication management, laundry service, exercise programs, social activities and transportation. May have emergency call systems in-house. Sometimes have care for dementia/Alzheimer's patients at a nearby sister campus.
NURSING HOME / MEMORY CARE
Courtesy of Park Manor in McKinney
Physical/Mental Abilities
Middle to Low, 24 hour supervision and skilled nursing is required.
Overview
With physical or mental decline, skilled nursing care with around the clock supervision becomes necessary to insulate your parent from potential dangers. Multiple housing options are available that can monitor health and wellness for seniors while providing the best lifestyle and routine possible.
Estimated Monthly Cost
$4500 to $9200 per month.
Courtesy of Cross Timbers Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center
Examples
Additional Notes
Housing options range from a semi private room (with a roommate) to a private room. These facilities are all inclusive with full time care, meals, housekeeping, transportation and monitoring systems.
AT HOME CARE / AGING IN PLACE
Courtesy of Assisting Hands Home Care
Physical/Mental Abilities
Low to High, full spectrum care and nursing staff are available as needed.
Overview
This solution allows seniors to stay in their own home with a specialized home care plan that can be crafted to fit your their physical and mental needs. Small scale home renovations can be done to change existing living and bathroom areas to make these spaces safe and easy to use.
Estimated Monthly Cost
$1,200 to over $10,000 per month.
The total cost will depend on how many hours per day someone is needed in the home and whether your parent is safe being left alone most of the time. Home assistance professionals charge around $15 per hour with skilled nursing costing upwards of $35 per hour.
Examples
Additional Notes
Costs for renovations to make the home safe and more comfortable for seniors vary widely depending on what types of amenities are needed. Things like grab bars in the bathrooms can be added inexpensively for only a few hundred dollars. If your parent needs major renovations such as walk-in bathtubs or wheelchair accessibility, the elevated costs may require some creative financial planning to fit them into your monthly budget. We are well versed in elderly care design and functionality, so please call if you need a little help navigating these renovations.
Have you considered the Together Family option?
This is a variation of the “Home Care/ Aging in Place” model that puts you AND your parent on the same property. This could be an addition onto your home or a completely separate house. Together for the moments that matter most, but with separate living quarters to maintain independence and privacy. Physical and mental abilities can vary from high to low since this is a custom care solution. The care and housing design are crafted to support your parents current and future needs. This option also offers the greatest flexibility when it comes to budget, since we have the ability to renovate an existing home or build a new homestead on a larger piece of land.
MORE INFO on Together Family Homes here!
MORE INFO on Together Family Homes here!
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