Your Checklist for Comparing Life Care and Rental Communities
Friendship Village of South Hills
For more information about the author, click to view their website: https://www.friendshipvillagepa.com/
Nov 05, 2024
Pennsylvania - Greater Pittsburgh Area
Retirement is an exceptional milestone, one where we can
finally pursue our own passions and savor the lifestyle that we’ve worked so
hard to achieve. Many older adults find that life in a senior living community
gives them a more sociable, maintenance-free and enjoyable retirement than
trying to keep up a traditional family home. This is especially true for
the 70%
of older adults who will require some kind of long-term
care.
As you evaluate your choices, you may wonder if a Life
Care community
like Friendship Village of South Hills is the right choice for you, or
if a month-to-month rental makes more sense. This checklist will help you
determine which type of living arrangement is best for your financial situation
and preferred lifestyle.
Life Care
vs. Rental Communities
There are key financial and lifestyle differences between
choosing a monthly rental versus a long-term, future-focused Life Care
community.
What is a
Life Care Community?
Life Care communities like Friendship Village of South Hills
offer residents access to higher levels of care within that community, as
health needs change over time. Life Care residents enjoy their own private
residence, access to a wide range of amenities and on-site, long-term care for
life.
Residents gain access to care through a contractual
agreement that requires an upfront entrance fee, as well as a predictable fee
each month. Depending on the contract type, residents need never worry about
their monthly fees changing even if their health care needs
do.
What is a
Rental Community?
Rental communities can vary significantly in their
offerings. Typically, independent
living rental communities are geared toward older adults looking for
flexible living solutions. They may offer some services and amenities, but they
will generally be less robust than those in a Life Care community. While assisted
living or memory
care might be available, your monthly fees could surge as you progress
into higher levels of care. Any short-term care would be billed at market
rates.
These costs could be significant. For instance, a
55-year-old couple retiring in 2022 could expect to spend nearly
one million dollars in medical expenses in their lifetime if costs
continue to rise just 2% per year. Healthcare costs rose 14.5% in 2022
alone.
Reasons a Life Care Community Might Be Right for You
Predictable
Costs
One of the biggest benefits
of Life Care is that it enables older adults to account for future
healthcare needs now. This provides them and their loved ones with a clear plan
for their long-term care, and can reduce the stress associated with rising
healthcare costs. It also allows residents to take control of their care needs
now, determining where they will receive care and how it will be paid for
before those needs change.
Family History
Family medical history should always be a major
consideration when choosing a community. Even if you don’t need care now, your
family history can give you a good idea of what your needs might be in the
future. For example, those with a history of Alzheimer’s
or dementia often find the guaranteed access to memory
care a significant incentive in preparing for whatever the future
might hold.
Even without a family history, however, the odds that older
adults will need some form of long-term care is high. It’s estimated that
70% of seniors will need a high level of long-term support and
services.
Comfort and
Stability
The comfort and stability that Life Care provides can’t be
overlooked. As a Life Care resident at a community like Friendship Village of
South Hills, you will receive care in the community where you live. This
eliminates the need for a big move later in life, allowing you the freedom to
build new relationships within the community. You will also have the certainty
of knowing that the costs for this care have already been met, and will require
no future changes on your part.
Reasons a Rental Community Might Be Right for You
Less
Financial Commitment
For those who don’t want to make a long-term financial
commitment, a rental community can be a more favorable option. These
communities don’t require an entrance fee, and there is typically no financial
penalty should you decide to move, as long as you give the required
notice.
Increased
Flexibility
While rental communities don’t have all the assurances of
Life Care, they can offer more flexibility. As with any other rental property,
you can give notice and move without any additional financial penalties. For
those who travel frequently or are still exploring Life Care communities, the
flexibility gives them a chance to try community living without a significant
financial investment. However, should circumstances or care needs change,
renters will need to enter a higher level of care with significantly higher
fees (fees that have historically been increasing at a rapid rate). This option
may seem good in the short-term, but offers little stability or assurances in
the long-term.
Explore Life
Care Options at Friendship Village of South Hills
At Friendship Village of South Hills, the spiritual,
emotional and physical wellness of our residents is our top priority. Nestled
in a quiet, wooded area near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, our Life Care community
is a sanctuary for seniors looking to get the most out of their retirement. We
host lectures, performances, live music and other programming to ensure they
have every opportunity to be active and engaged with their neighbors. Our
community is also home to multiple
dining venues and a
fitness center with a personal trainer.
- To view the original version of this article visit www.friendshipvillagepa.com/blog/independent-living/your-checklist-for-comparing-life-care-and-rental-communities/
- Seniors Blue Book was not involved in the creation of this content.
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Friendship Village of South Hills
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