What Is the Average Cost of Assisted Living in Fairfield?
Financial insecurity is one of the greatest challenges seniors are facing in modern times. According to the National Council on Aging, about 80% of older adults face financial insecurity in some way. Assisted living expenses are one of the many impacts on senior care costs and financial planning for aging.
Fairfield, Iowa, is an excellent location to live while working on your financial planning for aging. You can enjoy a lower cost of living while steeping yourself in the deep culture and history of our beautiful state. But what is the average cost of assisted living and how can you manage your planning around it?
If you're curious about long-term care pricing and affordable senior living options, we're here to help. Read on for a brief overview of the average cost of assisted living and what you're paying for.
What Is Assisted Living?
Before we go too deep, it's important to understand what you're paying for. Many people are familiar with the concept of assisted living but not the details of the arrangement.
Assisted living gives benefits to seniors and their loved ones who find themselves wanting support with daily living. Assisted living is an ideal solution for residents who hesitate to give up their autonomy but acknowledge that they need some assistance.
There's a variety of services on offer, which will range from community to community. Here at Addington Place of Fairfield, our services and amenities are designed to meet your needs. These include, but are not limited to:
- Generous living arrangements with included utilities
- Community outings, activity rooms, and wellness programs
- Weekly laundry and housekeeping services
- Included apartment maintenance
- Safety features, including illuminated entryways, smoke detectors, and more
Generally speaking, assisted living communities charge more depending on amenities. We recommend speaking to your representative to gauge their pricing.
Benefits of Assisted Living
Now that we better understand assisted living, what are the benefits? Understanding the benefits of assisted living can help you to understand the costs.
Here are some of the greatest benefits of assisted living.
Connect With Your Community
One of our favorite perks is how assisted living helps you to connect with your community. Iowa is a beautiful state, and Fairfield is one of the gems that we love to experience. Assisted living communities can help you to connect with the world around you.
There's more than just your surroundings, though. Did you know that one of the most prevalent battles for seniors is loneliness?
According to BMC Public Health, about half of all individuals over the age of 60 experience isolation. Roughly 33% of these seniors will experience loneliness as a result.
Staying connected to your peers and community will help you battle these feelings. It's one of the best ways to ensure your golden years shine bright.
Maintain Your Independence
Arguably, the greatest benefit of assisted living is its ability to empower your independence. Some seniors find this surprising; isn't it inherently losing your independence to take assistance?
Not at all! It's a reality that we need assistance with some tasks as we age, which varies from senior to senior. These may include:
- Assistance with bathing
- Assistance with managing your medication
- Household tasks such as cleaning or minor maintenance
These are small tasks that, ultimately, are not much of a sacrifice to "off-load" onto a professional. Instead, accepting assistance with these tasks allows you to focus on the better things in life.
According to The Telegraph, more seniors fear losing their independence than they fear death. Rest assured that such fears are unfounded.
Assisted living professionals are not invasive individuals to have in your home. Instead, they give you the help you need to enjoy your independence.
Comprehensive Support
Finally, one of the best benefits is the comprehensive support and care you'll receive. Assisted living services provide you with personalized support to keep your life where you want it.
These services are ideal for helping you keep your independence without sacrificing your safety. While this can cause an adjustment for some people, it's an adjustment worth making.
What Is the Average Cost of Assisted Living?
What sort of impacts will assisted living have on your senior care costs? Here are the main factors in the cost of assisted living.
Monthly Fees
The highest cost will be your monthly fees. These are, for lack of a better term, the rent you'll pay for your community. These costs vary depending on:
- Your chosen accommodations and the size of your residential unit
- Whether you're living alone or with a companion
- What services your community is providing
In most cases, monthly fees are in the range of a few thousand dollars. We recommend speaking with your community's representative to see where their fees will land.
Upfront Fees
Another fee to keep in mind is the upfront fee. You can think of this as a deposit for your reservation with the community.
These fees are also often called a "community fee." These charges are a one-time payment that is roughly equivalent to your monthly rent.
Many communities also give you the opportunity to refund the fee if you never move in.
Care Fees
The cost of assisted living will change depending on what your assisted living expenses are. For example, it's usually a less expensive arrangement to have fewer services and independent living. On the other hand, some communities may not offer assisted living or may have services you cannot decline.
These factors vary heavily depending on the community itself, so speaking with the representative is vital. To accurately compare these costs, you should decide which services you need the most.
Ultimately, the cost of assisted living is a personalized number that you'll need more information to estimate. You should expect to pay in the range of a few thousand dollars a month.
Understanding Affordable Senior Living Options
What is the average cost of assisted living? The ultimate tally will depend on your services, community, and personalization. Expect to pay in the range of a few thousand dollars a month.
At Addington Place of Fairfield, our mission is to provide affordable retirement living to our community. We provide a community where our residents can feel cared for, safe and part of our loving family. Contact us today to see how you can fit into our family.