Getting Ready to Move to Assisted Living in Walnut Creek

Moving into assisted living near you doesn't have to be an ordeal if you plan ahead and give yourself time to get the necessary preparations done. In particular, many seniors moving into assisted living in Walnut Creek should:

• Get a medical exam from a doctor to make sure assisted living is the right choice for your physical and mental condition.
• Make plans for short- or medium-term storage for furniture and valuables. These can be retrieved later, after you're moved in and things have settled down.
• Start visiting assisted living communities in and around Walnut Creek. You can learn a lot about a property online, but there's really no substitute for an in-person visit, when you can chat with current residents and ask questions directly from staff.
• Talk to a financial planner about the monthly budget. Assisted living in Walnut Creek can cost more or less than you're currently paying for in-home caregiver assistance, but the move is likely to be a financial change that has to be planned for.

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Walnut Creek?

The average monthly cost of assisted living in the Walnut Creek/East Bay Area is $5,500, according to the 2017 Genworth Cost of Care survey.

The same survey found that the average cost of residential care nationwide is $3,750, making assisted living in Walnut Creek an above-average option for many seniors. If you or your senior loved one have been living independently with a home health aide, however, you might see your monthly costs come down from $5,625.

Our local Seniorly Partner Agents often have the ability to negotiate monthly rent and fees on your behalf at many of the communities you might be interested in. This is a free service to you. To connect to a Seniorly Partner Agent email us now at ask@seniorly.com or call (855) 866-4515.

What's the Difference Between Assisted Living vs. Other Senior Care Types?

The difference between assisted living and other types of senior care is that assisted living sits between independent living and skilled nursing facilities, also known as nursing homes. Other care levels generally offer more medically oriented services for their residents, in particular:

• Skilled nursing is sometimes called post-acute or rehab care. Residents in skilled nursing facilities have closer supervision than seniors in assisted living, as well as medication and physical therapy.
• Memory care is intended for seniors with Alzheimer's or other age-related memory issues. Staff at memory care facilities provide near-constant supervision for residents who need help with most daily tasks. Many assisted living communities in Walnut Creek offer memory care as an option, usually in an annex attached to the main assisted living property, though these two communities are usually somewhat separated.
• Hospice care is an option for people dealing with serious, end-stage illness. The major focus in hospice care, which is sometimes called comfort care, is on managing people's pain and other symptoms, while keeping the person comfortable at home or in a hospice facility.