Let’s face it, no matter where you live, the cost of living is always a topic of concern. From mortgages and rental rates to yard maintenance fees and the expense of groceries, the list of items to budget seems never ending. In fact, many of us may not even realize the itemized costs of living in our own homes. When it comes to finding the right memory care community for a parent, crunching the numbers is important. While finding high-quality care, beautiful surroundings and comfortable living is the priority, you also need to evaluate the true cost of moving into a North Shore memory care community.
There are a few things to consider to help weigh your options as you think about whether you or your loved one will “age in place” or settle into a memory care community.
The Cost of Maintaining a Home
Paying a mortgage or a monthly rent fee is an obvious expense. Aside from the cost of housing, there are fees like utilities, cable and internet, home or renter’s insurance, property tax and more. The bills add up, and on top of that, you might be thinking about bringing in home health care to assist with activities of daily living or even memory care. Additionally, home maintenance can get costly, from lawn care and pest control to appliances and other big items that need repair from time to time.
Of course, you may be looking at all your options, wondering if all of the above expenses would really be somewhere equal to the cost of a nearby memory care community. Understanding that the median cost for home health is over $5,000 a month in Illinois, and assisted living communities are approximately $4,500 a month in the area, it’s important to consider what makes the most sense to get you or your loved one the best care while also keeping quality of life in mind. Social activities, delicious dining, caring people around—it all matters.
The Price of Peace of Mind
As you take time to evaluate all of the bills and the added cost of home health, you just might realize that this type of support would require 24/7 assistance. There is a better way to use your resources to get your loved one to a place where he or she will thrive, especially when learning more about all that is included in the cost of a memory care community. Here are just a few benefits that North Shore memory care communities offer that will certainly provide you with peace of mind.
- Health and wellness programs on site
- Delicious meals in a social setting
- Beautifully landscaped gardens (that you don’t have to schedule a lawn company to maintain!)
- Art and education where her mind would be stimulated through learning
- Trained team members who focus on cognitive and physical wellness
When comparing staying at home or moving into a memory care community on the North Shore of Chicago, you’ll come to find that everything you or your loved one will receive at a specialized community is far more than most can manage at home. More times than not, it just makes sense to make the move. Oh, and did we mention that this support and care would be available around the clock, 24/7? That in itself is a true game changer when it comes to evaluating the true cost of aging in place or making the move. There truly is no price tag to put on knowing that you or your loved one will be in good hands every day and every night.
