Why is assisted living so expensive? As people age, their physical and motor abilities to perform daily tasks decrease. They may even lose the ability to perform their personal tasks due to various diseases. When an elderly person is unable to perform their personal tasks and cannot do anything, it may become difficult to take care of them. Families are also unable to take care of their elderly parents due to their work commitments. In most cases, due to the elderly suffering from a disease, their children do not have enough knowledge and experience to take care of them. For this reason, people around them take this person to a nursing home or assisted living facility (ALF)!
Usually, different services are provided to patients and the elderly in these centers; so their costs will not be the same. The more services an elderly person receives, the more the costs that the assisted living residence receives will increase. These costs may be so high that the elderly family cannot afford them. But really, why is assisted living so expensive? And it is interesting that this is one of the most frequently asked questions that asked from experts on the humanhealthmag website. In this article, we will discuss the costs and tariffs of assisted living residence.
Average Cost of Assisted Living vs Their Services
Why is assisted living for seniors so expensiv? Assisted living services are a type of group service. Since it is not possible to assign a special nurse to each elderly person in these residences, the elderly are required to follow certain frameworks such as specific meal and snack times. They cannot eat their favorite food. These cases mean depriving them of their liberties in old age, which severely destroys their morale. This can be seen in the most luxurious assisted livings. Do you know that assisted living food menu should be designed in such a way that, in addition to providing the required energy, it also meets the specific nutritional needs of the elderly?
Elderly people need various medical care. Most of these cares are necessary to treat their joint pain. Cheap assisted living at best only prescribes painkillers for their pain. In expensive centers at best, they call you and tell you to pay an exorbitant fee for a visit to a specialist doctor or physiotherapist separately. Or, from the very beginning, regardless of whether your elderly person needs physiotherapy and occupational therapy, they add its cost to the monthly costs.
Although hygiene and cleaning are calculated in the cost of assisted living residence, they are not done properly for the sake of more profit. Since most seniors have difficulty controlling their urine and feces, frequent cleaning or diaper changes are either not done at all or not done properly.
Why is Assisted Living so Expensive? Benefits of Assisted Living Care
If we look at it realistically, an assisted living residence has only two advantages:
- Absence of the elderly at home
This can hardly be considered an advantage; but there are many people who, due to living in a small house or having a large family, do not have enough space to care for their elderly parents. Or because their elderly have diseases such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s or, etc. they simply do not enjoy the company and living with their parents. For this reason, it can be said that the absence of the elderly at home is one of the advantages of an assisted living.
- Desirable social connection
The elderly in nursing homes or assisted living have a lot of contact with each other and can enjoy being with their peers. An issue that may be less possible for them at home. Of course, according to the obtained statistics, the elderly enjoy spending time with their families much more and prefer it more than their peers; but in any case, the connection of the elderly in nursing homes cannot be ignored.
Cons of Assisted Living Care
It is quite evident that when you pay an amount to an elderly care center, this amount does not belong to one person and covers part of the salaries of all employees. For this reason, none of the employees will feel a sufficient commitment to your elderly person because they do not receive their salary from the elderly person or his family, but from the center where they work.
This is while you have paid a very large amount of money to that center, a fee that you could have used to hire a professional, full-time nursing home nurse. In this way, you will receive more professional and focused services, greater work commitment, much more respectful and compassionate treatment and a whole world of other benefits for the same price.
Forced to follow the rules and regulations of an organization, not having the necessary freedom to leave the center or even get some fresh air, fixed eating hours, in many cases bad behavior of the employees, not having the freedom to eat the food of your choice, the fix hours of sleeping and waking up and bathing and many other things can all be crushing along with being away from the dearest people in the elderly life.
Factors Impacting Cost of Assisted Living
In your opinion, how to move a parent with dementia to assisted living? It doesn’t matter whether you are looking for a private assisted living facilitiies cost estimate or you want to know the amount of charity assisted living costs, in any case, it is necessary to pay attention to various components that affect the amount of these costs:
- Elderly people suffering from diseases that require special care. Diseases such as diabetes, blood pressure and Alzheimer’s are problems that, if not controlled, will cause great damage to the elderly’s body
- Request for a private room for the elderly
- The area where the assisted living residence is located
- The elderly person’s need for rehabilitation and care services (the better the physical condition and condition of a patient and the mobility of the elderly person, the lower the costs will be)
- The elderly person’s need for full-time or part-time care
- The level of nursing skills and expertise that is considered for the elderly
- The type of services provided to the elderly
The Evolving Needs of the Elderly
The needs of the elderly vary significantly across different age groups, both physically and emotionally. At the outset of old age, individuals often exhibit a strong desire for independence and social interaction, while still retaining the ability to engage in light exercise. However, as time progresses, patience and tolerance may diminish, social needs may wane, chronic illnesses may become more prevalent, and the ability to perform daily tasks may decline.
Elderly Individuals Aged 65-74
- Physical Health: Maintaining physical health through exercise, a balanced diet, and regular medical check-ups is crucial.
- Social Activities: Engaging in social activities, interacting with others, and preserving friendships are essential for mental and emotional well-being.
- Independence: Preserving independence and continuing to perform daily tasks as much as possible helps maintain self-esteem and confidence.
Elderly Individuals Aged 75-84
- Chronic Disease Management: Many elderly individuals in this age group grapple with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Effective management of these conditions through medication and regular medical care is essential for maintaining health and quality of life.
- Emotional Support: Emotional support from family and friends is vital for elderly individuals who may face challenges such as the loss of a spouse, loneliness, and isolation.
- Cognitive Activities: Engaging in cognitive activities like reading, solving puzzles, and playing games helps maintain memory and cognitive function.
Elderly Individuals Aged 85 and Over
- Personal Care: Many elderly individuals in this age group require assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating.
- Safety and Comfort: Creating a safe and comfortable home environment is crucial for elderly individuals who may be at risk of falls or other accidents.
- Palliative Care: If an elderly individual is suffering from a terminal illness, palliative care can help alleviate pain and suffering and improve quality of life.
Concluding Remarks
Why is assisted living so expensive? The high cost of assisted living is a complex issue influenced by a multitude of factors, including rising healthcare costs, increased demand for specialized care, and the labor-intensive nature of providing round-the-clock assistance. While the financial burden of assisted living can be significant, it is important to recognize the value of quality care for the elderly. As societies age, it is imperative to explore innovative solutions to make assisted living more affordable and accessible, such as government subsidies, community-based care programs, and technological advancements. By addressing these challenges, we can ensure that our aging population receives the care and support they need to live fulfilling lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Assisted Living so Expensive?
The high cost of assisted living is due to several factors. These include the high cost of skilled healthcare workers, the high cost of medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, the need for safe and well-equipped environments, as well as inflation and rising public spending. In addition, the provision of personalized services and 24-hour care also contributes to the increase in costs.
Is There a Way to Reduce the Tariffs of Assisted Living Residence?
Yes, one way is to explore different care options, including home care, nursing homes, day centers, and care centers with different levels of service. Using long-term care insurance, government assistance, and charities can help reduce costs. Retirement home vs assisted living?! What are the advantages and disadvantages of a nursing home for the care of the elderly?
What Factors Affect the Tariffs of Assisted Living Residence?
Several factors affect the cost of senior care facilities, including the level of services provided, the number of nurses and staff, the type of medical equipment, the size of rooms and amenities, the geographical location, and inflation. The specific needs of each senior, such as the need for specialized medical care or specific medical services, also affect costs.