Philadelphia Assisted Living

Assisted living often brings up images of seniors who can no longer live on their own and are totally dependent on medical care. While this might be true for some people, assisted living communities offer more than just medical care, and Philadelphia is a good place to look for your new home in your retirement years.

The rates here in Philadelphia aren’t as expensive as you might think and there are plenty of things to do around the city of Brotherly Love. There are dozens of diverse senior communities to choose from here and it can be an ideal place to settle.

Assisted Living Cost In Philadelphia

Here is what people want to know most because many people think that it is too expensive to even consider but there is more flexibility than you might think. The national average cost for assisted living here in the U.S. is around $3,600 and the average here in the state of Pennsylvania is $3,555, so it is close to the same. Rates in Philadelphia are quite a bit higher at $4,886, but you don’t have to start panicking just yet.

Your total cost is going to depend on the area of Philadelphia that you choose as well as the type of care and living arrangements that you want. Let’s take a look at two different locations and two different kinds of rooms. If you wanted to get a studio in a facility like Wesley Enhanced Living Pennypack Park you could expect to pay around $1,112. Now if you wanted a two-bedroom apartment in a facility such as Paul’s Run you could pay $3,636.

This is just to show that even though both of these communities are in Philadelphia, there is a wide price range that can fit any budget.

What Happens In Assisted Living?

You probably want to know exactly what goes on in assisted living and the answer to that is fairly simple. There are so many different kinds of assisted living facilities that whatever you like is what you can find. You can tailor your care to your lifestyle and find a community that fits your needs and likes.

If you want to get out and explore Philadelphia then there are facilities that organize trips and outings. If you want to have your own private home so you can entertain family and guests then there are communities that allow you to do so. If you want to learn new skills and socialize with other residents, you can find a place that offers classes and community time.

There is no one place fits all, and if you do some research you can find an assisted living community that is perfect for you.

Finding Your New Community

Once you have made a list of the things that are important to you that you want to be included in your new lifestyle, then you can start the search for the right community. Rather than just googling assisted living facilities, try websites like SeniorAdvisor.com that can give you thorough overviews of residences in your area. This will also allow you to take virtual tours, read user reviews, and start to get a feel for what you like and don’t like.

Talking to trusted friends and family is another good way to find some good options. If you already have friends in an assisted living community, ask them if they like it and how they went about finding it. You can also talk with your doctor as they will probably have some good insight into what you would like and what would work for you.

The best thing to do though is to go and visit your top choices. This is the only way that you can know for sure if a place will be the right fit for you. While you’re there, you can talk with the community director, sometimes called a senior living advisor, and ask all of your questions. These people are going to be able to give you all the information you need to know before you make your move.

How To Pay For Assisted Living

After hearing the cost of assisted living, you might be concerned that you won’t be able to afford it but there are options for everyone.

If you are going to sell your home once you move, the profits from that sale can go to your new home. If you aren’t going to sell, you could possibly rent out your house and use that money to pay. You could also consider getting a roommate or a semi-private room to help lower the total cost.

Medicaid and VA benefits are two programs you can look into that can offer some financial assistance. Medicaid is for low-income families and if you’re eligible, a large portion of your long-term care could be funded. Veterans should check with their local office to see if they can receive financial assistance.