How much does Orlando Senior Living Cost? We get this question often and want you to know that the price for assisted living and memory care varies depending on many factors. So, what’s the best option for you or your loved one? Age in place at home or age in place at a senior living community in Orlando, FL? This is where we start…I suggest you pull out a notepad and pen to make a list of what you do receive and don’t receive at home versus an assisted living facility. I also think you’ll be surprised to learn that you may end up saving more by moving to an assisted living versus aging in place with a private caregiver at home.

You may be thinking that it’s time to down-size and or save money. The cost of owning a home does add up. So, let’s include on your notepad, homeowners insurance, taxes, maintenance, and improvements. Let’s also factor in utilities, water, groceries, cable, HOA, and possibly a mortgage payment. Do you have a house cleaner and a gardener? Are you still driving? Assuming you’re still paying for car insurance, gas, and possibly a car payment. Let’s add all these costs up. How about personal debt? Okay, let’s add all these numbers together. You’ll have a starting point of what the cost is to live at home.

AGE IN PLACE AT HOME OR IN A SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY IN ORLANDO, FL?

So, just like 90% of families that we help, you are planning to age in place in your own home. I am assuming you are working on the “age in place at home” column on your notepad. Okay, let’s make a list of items that you need… We are going to have to make sure you’re safe. Let’s modify your home to be more accessible for you and your activities of daily living. Let’s get rid of the old carpet and throw rugs. Let’s install grab bars in showers and near toilets. Let’s remove the step over tub and turn in to a walk-in shower. We’ll probably want to widen doorways for walkers and wheelchairs… Speaking of chairs, do you have a two-story house? We’ll want to add a lift chair and let’s not forget about ramps. We definitely want to make sure you’re safe at home and checked on.

Let’s say you made the modifications to your home. Who is going to check in on you?

You haven’t thought about the what-if I can no longer live alone? Maybe you are a widow, or all of your friends have moved away to Senior Living Communities throughout the Orlando area and you’re beginning to feel left out. Other times you are wishing that you weren’t so lonely and home alone. Safety is a huge factor to consider. You can always hire an in-home caregiver. I recommend a licensed agency. They’ll do the background checks, pay their licensed and insured employees, and also if your caregiver is out sick, they’ll have an alternate person for you. So, what is the average cost of a professional caregiver? In Orlando, FL the price is approximately $23 per hour. Keep in mind that there is a minimum of hours required. Now if you need at least 8 hours per day, that can add up. Okay, do the math and add that to your notepad…

AVERAGE COST OF SENIOR LIVING IN ORLANDO, FL 

Living in a Senior Living Community in Orlando, FL may cost less than you think! Depending on size and location, Independent living communities run anywhere from $1800 per month to approx. $3800 per month. Of course, the larger the apartment and various amenities to include meals could increase this price. Now if you need assisted living in the Orlando, FL area, you are looking at a starting average price of $3500 plus the cost of care. Again, this depends on room size and amenities. Memory Care in Orlando, FL starts at $1000 more and depends on the level of care and room size.

As stated on www.payingforseniorcare.com, “In Orlando, the monthly costs of senior care are mostly below state and national averages, but there are some exceptions. For example, while the average monthly cost of nursing home care in Orlando is $46 less than the state average, it’s $665 higher than the national median.

The average monthly cost of home care services in Orlando is $4,004, which is on par with the national average. However, it’s $200 more than Florida’s monthly average.

The average monthly cost of assisted living and adult day care in Orlando is below both state and national averages. Orlando’s average monthly assisted living cost is $3,275, while Florida’s average is $3,500 and the national average is $4,000. Adult Day Care services in Orlando average $1,300 per month, which is $163 lower than the state’s monthly average and $260 less than the national monthly average.”  Now, I suggest you just go out for a tour of an Orlando, FL senior living community. There is no obligation and tours will help you with information that you may need to prepare.

HOW TO PAY FOR SENIOR LIVING IN ORLANDO, FL

As stated in a previous blog that I wrote, How to pay for a facility and average cost, “Assisted Living is privately paid out of pocket and insurance does not cover the cost.

However, there are a couple of programs that can help cover the cost if you qualify:

• Veteran Aid & Attendance (Must have served during wartime or be a widow of an individual who has served. The Reserves does not qualify.)
• LTC Insurance
• Long Term Care Diversion Program through Medicaid (Must not make over a certain amount to qualify)

The average cost of assisted living care is $3500/month in the state of Florida. There are communities that charge less as it depends on each individual building. This amount covers the room and board, utilities, water, cable, and sometimes WIFI as well as three meals a day, activities on-site, amenities, and transportation to doctor appointments and outings.

What is not included in the above amount is the care costs. Care is additional on top of the base rent and can be charged a few different ways. Typically, care costs are different bundles or levels, typically 1-5 with level 1 starting anywhere from $300-400 and go up depending on the level. Each community will perform an assessment on the resident l moving in to determine which level they fall into based on how many things they need help with throughout the day.

There are two other ways care can be charged as well: a la carte fees and all-inclusive. They mean exactly how they sound. A la carte fees are where you are charged for each care item that you need (bathing is a charge, dressing is a charge, etc.). All-inclusive indicates that the care is included in the rent which is great for those who are looking for more affordable options. However, this is harder to find as most do not offer this as an option.”

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

Now I know you’re probably looking at your notepad thinking, I don’t want to leave my home. What will I do with all my personal belongings? I don’t think I am ready for an assisted living or caregiver. I am here to only advise you… Here are some warning signs that may need additional help whether at home or at an assisted living facility in Orlando, FL. Are you staying hydrated and healthy? Are you forgetting to pay bills or leaving the stove on? Have you had lots of falls recently? What about medication management? Are you able to manage your medications? Have you had recent hospital stays?

These are just some of the questions to ask yourself. Beginning to look at communities can feel overwhelming with the 200 plus senior living options in Orlando alone but that is why we are here to help. We highly recommend that you work with a reputable local placement professional, like North Star Senior Advisors to help narrow down options that can accommodate your budget and level of care as well as several other factors like preferences and culture. It’s important to know though that Not All Senior Placement Agencies are the Same.

Just like any business, not everyone is as compassionate and honest as others. Some agencies will not go out to do hospital evaluations and tours or even not touch base with the family. Some have never stepped foot into these communities and still recommend them to families. There are others that are online lead generation based where they capture your information online without you realizing it. Typically, their website will read something similar to “To see senior living communities near you, enter your information below.” When you do and hit submit, they will blast it to communities without you knowing. We receive phone calls all the time from clients who went this route initially and then regretted it as they have communities calling them nonstop to get their business during an already emotional time.

WHY CHOOSE NORTH STAR SENIOR ADVISORS

As a veteran-owned and operated placement agency, we have been around for over 6 years and only contract with licensed senior living communities free from abuse and neglect that we have personally toured as well as ALWAYS conduct an initial high-level assessment and set up tours for suggested communities. We never give your information out unless you give us permission to do so. All of our staff are Certified Dementia Practitioners with 20+ years of background experience in healthcare. We also have nurses on staff to conduct clinical evaluations of you and your loved one to find a community.

Expert advice from a trusted Senior Living Advisor like North Star Senior Advisors will answer all of these questions, guide you, work as your advocate, and help you locate the best facility at an affordable rate. Someone on your side to educate and navigate through the complexity of selecting an appropriate facility will save you time and help lessen the burden of doing this alone.

For more information about senior living in Orlando, contact a Senior Living Advisor at 407-796-1582.