Touring a Senior Independent Living Facility

 

My sister-in-law, a widow and some years older than me, recently arranged a tour of a local independent-living facility. A couple of other relatives and I tagged along for moral support and to see what it was all about. By the end of the tour I didn’t want to leave!

This was a higher-end facility, so not cheap. But it had an interesting approach that I did not know about. Yes, you pay a substantial entrance fee, and a hefty monthly service fee. And to get in you have to show that you can handle your own hygiene, medications, and be mobile enough to get from your apartment to the common area where the dining and activity rooms are. But in addition to the independent living section, there is also an assisted-living wing, and a rehab center. If you have been admitted, and need more care, you don’t pay any extra – your monthly service fee remains the same! You can move to the assisted living wing, or get rehab for as long as you need it, and your costs don’t change.

So the monthly service fee is less like rent and more like insurance. You start our paying more to be there than it really costs, and so subsidize those who use way more services. (If you’ve ever priced nursing home care you know that it can be very expensive.) But paying more up front can be worth it because if your needs change – and let’s face it, they will – you are covered.

The facility itself was great, worlds better than an old-school nursing home. The apartments range from little studios to spacious two-bedroom units. They have kitchens, their own laundry, and balconies. You can make your own meals or go to the dining room and pay very reasonable prices. There are all kinds of activities you can participate in if you want. There’s a library, a greenhouse, a game room. You can have your own car, but there are also shuttles to the supermarket, movies, etc.

And this is Western New York – we get blizzards. They have food stocked up. They have generators. You can ride out a storm and never have to go outside or be bothered by it.

Loneliness is an issue for the elderly, especially those who have lost a spouse. I can see the attraction of having people around to have meals and socialize with. You live longer when you’re not alone. They have residents in their 60s up to over 100.

I’m not ready for this kind of thing yet, but I could see doing it some years down the line. Imagine the peace of mind: no worries about home maintenance, you don’t have to cook if you don’t want to, you’re set if there’s a storm. You have company. When your health declines, arrangements have already been made and it’s affordable. You’ll still have the same people around you.

During the tour we chatted with some residents, and they were all very happy to be there. (Our guide assured us they were not paid shills!) In the end my sister-in-law was not sold on the idea, but I was. Getting in involves 10% down and about a two-year wait, so it’s worth considering before you actually need it.

Published in General
Tags:

This post was promoted to the Main Feed by a Ricochet Editor at the recommendation of Ricochet members. Like this post? Want to comment? Join Ricochet’s community of conservatives and be part of the conversation. Join Ricochet for Free.

There are 39 comments.

Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.
  1. JustmeinAZ Member
    JustmeinAZ
    @JustmeinAZ

    I am planning on moving into one of these myself in a few months. It’s called a “life lease”.  The entry fee is similar to a home purchase but 70% is returned to your heirs when you die. The monthly fee includes housekeeping (including changing bed linens and washing your sheets and towels). One meal per day at the gourmet dining room. You can move to more care if you need it, but you have to be independent to move in. Even if you outlive your money they don’t kick you out. I can’t find anything not to like.

    • #31
  2. CACrabtree Coolidge
    CACrabtree
    @CACrabtree

    BillJackson (View Comment):

    I’m ready for it. I’m only 52 and still do endurance sports, but I hate having 20-somethings, fresh out of college, as neighbors.

    Not to mention their dogs and kids…

    • #32
  3. CACrabtree Coolidge
    CACrabtree
    @CACrabtree

    DaveSchmidt (View Comment):

    Do any of them include a rifle/pistol range? Asking for @ Zafar.

    I doubt that you’re going to find too many that do.

    Luckily, I live in Redneck Heaven so I don’t have to worry about a place to fire off all the rounds I wish.

    • #33
  4. navyjag Coolidge
    navyjag
    @navyjag

    CACrabtree (View Comment):

    DaveSchmidt (View Comment):

    Do any of them include a rifle/pistol range? Asking for @ Zafar.

    I doubt that you’re going to find too many that do.

    Luckily, I live in Redneck Heaven so I don’t have to worry about a place to fire off all the rounds I wish.

    So  do they allow dogs? Our  only condition. And she only weighes 9 lbs. That OK?

    • #34
  5. CACrabtree Coolidge
    CACrabtree
    @CACrabtree

    navyjag (View Comment):

    CACrabtree (View Comment):

    DaveSchmidt (View Comment):

    Do any of them include a rifle/pistol range? Asking for @ Zafar.

    I doubt that you’re going to find too many that do.

    Luckily, I live in Redneck Heaven so I don’t have to worry about a place to fire off all the rounds I wish.

    So do they allow dogs? Our only condition. And she only weighes 9 lbs. That OK?

    As long as they’re kept on a leash and don’t bark at night there’s no problem. (They do have a dog run.)

    Better not show up with a Pit Bull though…

     

     

    • #35
  6. DaveSchmidt Coolidge
    DaveSchmidt
    @DaveSchmidt

    CACrabtree (View Comment):

    BillJackson (View Comment):

    I’m ready for it. I’m only 52 and still do endurance sports, but I hate having 20-somethings, fresh out of college, as neighbors.

    Not to mention their dogs and kids…

    I guess I am not yet old enough to find young families with kids annoying.   

    • #36
  7. Full Size Tabby Member
    Full Size Tabby
    @FullSizeTabby

    DaveSchmidt (View Comment):

    CACrabtree (View Comment):

    BillJackson (View Comment):

    I’m ready for it. I’m only 52 and still do endurance sports, but I hate having 20-somethings, fresh out of college, as neighbors.

    Not to mention their dogs and kids…

    I guess I am not yet old enough to find young families with kids annoying.

    Oddly enough kids running up and down the street was one of the attractions of the neighborhood in which we bought our “live in until we die” house 5 years ago. 

    • #37
  8. Matt Bartle Member
    Matt Bartle
    @MattBartle

    ctlaw (View Comment):
    The financial model seems sound. They make a ton of money off you while you are healthy and many people just quickly die without needing to be in the higher care levels.

    Yeah, you can’t be too squeamish about how this works. I’m sure they have actuaries and a pretty good idea how many people will die in a given year. They might have even come out ahead during COVID, as their clientele is the people at highest risk. 

    And what does a “two-year waiting list” really mean? Something like “10 people have to die to make room for me.” Or whatever the number is.

    There were careful to say, “people who depart” rather then “people who die.”

     

    • #38
  9. CACrabtree Coolidge
    CACrabtree
    @CACrabtree

    Full Size Tabby (View Comment):

    DaveSchmidt (View Comment):

    CACrabtree (View Comment):

    BillJackson (View Comment):

    I’m ready for it. I’m only 52 and still do endurance sports, but I hate having 20-somethings, fresh out of college, as neighbors.

    Not to mention their dogs and kids…

    I guess I am not yet old enough to find young families with kids annoying.

    Oddly enough kids running up and down the street was one of the attractions of the neighborhood in which we bought our “live in until we die” house 5 years ago.

    Good.  When they grow up to be snotty teenagers riding their bikes (or cars) across your yard and egging your house, let us know how your feel.  I suspect that many of you will become Walt Kowalski quicker than you thought possible.

    • #39
Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.