
In most cases, your loved one will have to undergo a couple of simple evaluations before joining an assisted living community. The first one involves a visit to your loved one's personal physician, who will review physical and mental condition to make sure an assisted living community is the right choice. The doctor also provides all the information the assisted living community might need — any special dietary needs, all current therapies or medical conditions, and a list of current medications.
Next, in most assisted living communities near you, the staff will meet with your loved one to determine how much help they need with the ADLs. Here, they're making sure that the facility is a good fit and can provide all the services required. If it's not a good match, the staff will probably be able to recommend another nearby assisted living community that can meet your loved one's needs.
The average monthly cost of assisted living in New York City is $5,916 according to the Genworth Cost of Care survey 2018.
While New York City can admittedly be an expensive city, assisted living communities are available across a wide pricing spectrum. Posh facilities that might easily be confused with a high-end hotel can run in the range of $10,000 per month, but more basic — and still highly livable — communities open their doors to residents in the neighborhood of $2,000 per month.
Many people find that when they break down their loved one's current expenses — rent, utilities, food, medical care and other basics — the cost of assisted living is actually extremely reasonable. Remember, those fees don't just cover rent. They also include all meals, housekeeping, laundry services and personal care to help with the ADLs. Included in that cost are also the amenities of the residential community, which may include social activities or a gym.
Look for a basic assisted living community if your loved one wouldn't be interested in all the extras and amenities that might run the price up. You can save even more money by opting for a shared room. These basic communities provide all the needed care and meals in a comfortable environment with well-trained staff on hand.
As for those more lavish, resort-style communities? You can expect the best on the high end of the payment options — large apartments that are elegantly appointed with pools or gyms. Residents at these communities often can take advantage of on-site medical care thanks to visits from physical therapists, occupational therapists and podiatrists, to name a few. They also enjoy customized meal plans that cater to their preferences.
In the middle of the spectrum are a wide array of boutique assisted living communities that combine home-style comfort with excellent care. In these communities, your loved one is likely to have a private apartment or room and a good range of meal choices. Look for a community that features the amenities your loved one is mostly likely to respond to, whether it's an exercise program or a book club.
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.
Assisted living is different from types of senior care is it sits right in the middle of a spectrum between independent living and skilled nursing facilities, sometimes referred to as nursing homes.
Those seniors who don't require any assistance with the ADLs might be very happy in an independent living community, while skilled nursing facilities are available to seniors who have more significant medical needs.
Assisted living is a balance between these two options. Seniors can enjoy their independence while still receiving the personal care they need, and they're freed up from the need to handle chores such as housekeeping, cooking, and laundry.