Detroit Assisted Living

Many retirees in the Detroit area consider moving into an assisted living facility. This is a big change from living at home, and when making the decision, there are many factors to consider. Questions like the monthly cost, how to find the right community for you, and the best ways to finance assisted living care are common. Detroit has many different assisted living options, each with their own character and flair, and an average monthly cost right in line with the national median. Check out our informational tips to answer some of the commonly asked questions about assisted living in Detroit.

What you can expect to pay for assisted living in Detroit

The Detroit area has a number of excellent assisted living options, and the cost of care in those facilities is exactly in line with the national average. According to the 2015 Genworth Cost of Care survey, the national median for assisted living monthly is $3,600, and Detroit’s average is identical.

The diversity of the properties and amenities available also give seniors in the Detroit area a number of options, and price points to choose from. SeniorAdvisor.com lists properties ranging from $846 per month for a semi-private room at W.C. Turner I to $3,500 monthly for a studio apartment at LaBelle Adult Foster Care & Emergency Center, and everything in between. There are many assisted living options for every budget to choose from in Detroit.

How to find the right assisted living match for you

Each assisted living facility in the Detroit area has their own character and amenities. Some, like Living Well Assisted Living supply pet-friendly property and offer a maintenance-free lifestyle. Others might cater to specific luxury, religious, or lifestyle requests. On a property like Himelhock Apartments, seniors live in a high-rise building in your own personal apartment space.

Make a list of options that you’re looking for in your new residence to ensure that you find a community that offers everything you want in a living situation.

Searching for your assisted living match in Detroit

Finding the right fit for your assisted living needs starts with making a list of your top prospects in the area. Begin by asking people you know for recommendations or referrals. Friends, neighbors and family members can be a wealth of knowledge and options. Next, search online for housing options in your area with high ratings and good reviews. If one is available, reach out to a senior living advisor in your area. Similar to a real estate agent, they can help you match your preferences and budget to options in your area and visit the facilities with you to help you make a decision.

Plan to take a tour of the facilities that interest you most. Make a checklist, or use one from a helpful resource like the list that can be found on SeniorAdvisor, to get important questions answered about your options. Ask about what amenities are included in the monthly fee, additional services that might be available, and if there are other care options provided by the facility in case your needs evolve in time. Having the answers to each of these questions can help you discover which assisted living community is the best fit for you.

Paying for your assisted living care

Making the move into assisted living often time means the monthly expenses of living in your current home, paying your mortgage, property taxes, household maintenance, utility bills and paying for in-home care provided by the facility. For many seniors, while the cost of living may initially seem high, once you do the math on these expenses it actually becomes quite affordable. You may be in a position to sell your home and use the money from the sale to pay for your assisted living care. If you have a spouse or children who will need to continue to live in your current home, there are other options to explore that could help pay for assisted living.

Medicaid is an option available to low-income seniors in need of assisted living care who have limited assets. In the state of Michigan, Medicaid finances over two-thirds of all nursing home care. The federal-state program has a number of eligibility requirements, which can be found along with an application at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services website.

Veterans who served on active duty during wartime, and their widows, may be able to receive a pension from the VA Aid & Attendance program. Wartime periods are federally defined, and veterans need to have only served one day during the period, not necessarily in combat, to qualify. For complete requirements and to apply contact the regional benefits office in Detroit. It’s important to understand that the approval process can take several months, but know that if the application goes through the pension will be back-dated to the date of the application.

Long-term care insurance policies are another excellent option to help pay for assisted living. Seniors with a policy should contact either the carrier, or company, the policy is with, or your insurance agent to make sure you fully understand all of the details. Some policies may have limits, exclusions, or minimums depending on the type of care community you’re considering. It is also very important to have a plan in place to continue monthly premium payments for the policy in case of an illness or memory issues developing over time. Seniors can be at risk for letting a policy lapse in these circumstances, and can face a large financial burden if that happens.

Utilizing a reverse mortgage or cashing in a life insurance policy are two additional ways commonly used to pay for assisted living. Each option has benefits, but they both will have an impact on your long-term financial planning, overall assets, as well as your annual taxes. If you’re considering either, reach out to a tax professional, a trusted financial planner, or an attorney with an in-depth knowledge of senior care and estate planning to discuss if they are the right fit for you. Keep in mind as you consider your options that it’s not possible to pay for assisted living with traditional insurance, including Medicare, health insurance, or worker’s disability insurance.

There are dozens of questions to ask when deciding whether to make the move to assisted living. These are just a few of the answers. SeniorAdvisor.com has many more, including property listings and reviews in the Detroit area and helpful resources to help you make the right decision for your next living situation.