Assisted Living Fees: Avoid Surprises

Are you searching for an assisted living community for you or a loved one? Know about the community’s assisted living fees before deciding on a new home. Don’t let added charges catch you by surprise!

When Joe and his family researched assisted living communities, they asked the obvious question about pricing and felt confident they had all the details. However, they couldn’t know to ask about fees that they weren’t even aware of! At the end of the first month, they were left scratching their heads.

Costs add up

Most assisted living communities charge a base monthly rent based on the size of the unit and whether you live alone or with a companion. This fee typically covers basic utilities, maintenance, meals and snacks, most activities, emergency response, and sometimes services like housekeeping and transportation. Be sure that these basic expenses are included. If not, find out what each one costs a la carte.

On top of this rent, you’ll be charged for the care services you need, based on an assessment done before you move in. Some communities charge for each service à la carte, while others have a tiered pricing structure based on different levels of care. As your needs change, fees for care also increase.

A smaller group of assisted living communities are all-inclusive , which means not only is the base rent and care included, but also this flat rate won’t increase when you need additional care.

Once you understand what you will be charged for your rent and care, you should then delve into one-off charges that could be tacked onto your bill. Here are some of the extras you should inquire about in advance.

Additional assisted living fees to ask about

Community fee

The majority of assisted living communities charge a one-time fee for the set-up associated with a new resident, including maintenance, administration services, etc. It might also be called a service initiation fee.

Utilities

While most communities include basic utilities like electricity, water, heat, and air-conditioning in your monthly rent, you may pay extra for a landline, cable, or internet service. An increasing number of communities are offering free WIFI throughout the building.

Transportation

Communities may offer transportation as part of their base rate, but it’s a good idea to find out where that free transportation will take you. Some take you to medical appointments, while some offer regularly scheduled trips for shopping or social events. If you need a ride anywhere else, you may incur additional fees.

Laundry and housekeeping

Two other services that some communities include in the base rate and others offer for an additional cost are laundry and housekeeping. Even if you know that these services are part of your monthly fee, ask the community to spell out the details. For example, weekly dusting, vacuuming, and light cleaning of the bathroom may be included; however, a deep clean may cost you more. Or the staff may wash your sheets and towels once a week, but more frequent laundering for an incontinent resident will be charged extra. Dry cleaning and other special laundry services are typically extra.

Health assessment

As mentioned above, you’ll undergo an assessment to determine the services you’ll need prior to moving in. Some communities will cover this screening ; however, others will charge you for it on that first monthly bill.

Medical services

Some assisted living facilities will charge an additional fee for access to an onsite physician or pharmacy, which may be called a “facility fee” on your bill. Perhaps not surprisingly, you’ll typically also pay extra for medical services like cleaning and checking a wound, monitoring blood pressure or glucose, handling insulin injections, helping with an inhaler, etc.

Escorts, reminders, and deliveries

If you need someone to accompany you to the dining room or reminders to take your medication or attend activities, you may find extra charges for this minor assistance at the end of the month. You may also be charged for meal or package delivery to your room.

Billing insurance

Some communities charge to bill your insurance for medical services.

The transition from home to assisted living is a huge step; you don’t want to do it twice! Before you decide on a community, take the time to ask questions about additional fees and go through the contract with a fine-tooth comb. Before signing it, you might even have an elder law attorney review the contract.

All of this due diligence in seeking out assisted living fees will take a little more time and effort, but it’s guaranteed to pay off!

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