

but made up only 17% of the total population.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation’s 2019 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, individuals ages 65 and over contributed 35% of the total health care spending in the U.S. Care LevelĪs a person ages, the cost of their health care tends to increase as well. However, following the inflation seen in recent years, many senior housing communities increased their rates between 10% and 15%, which outpaced the 8.7% increase most older adults saw in Social Security, adds Herman. “Most senior living communities have written into their contracts that there’s an annual cost of living adjustment around 3% to 7%,” says Herman. In fact, the 8.7% increase is the highest COLA received in over 40 years Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Information. In 2023 Social Security and SSI beneficiaries received an 8.7% COLA compared to a 5.9% adjustment in 2022 and 1.3% adjustment in 2021. To help counteract inflation, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits undergo an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), which was put in place to ensure these benefits are maintained regardless of inflation. “As the costs for supplies, food and even health care workers increase, those costs pass on to the residents of senior care facilities,” says Natali Edmonds, Psy.D., a board-certified geropsychologist and founder of Careblazers, a resource geared toward providing accurate information to those caring for someone with dementia. Over time, specific needs and preferences may change, along with associated costs, adds Herman. Communities that offer deluxe entertainment options, such as a pool and a robust activity program, generally cost more than communities that only offer basic options like puzzles and board games.Īlthough selecting a community that offers the appropriate level of care is crucial, it’s also important to find a community where you or a loved one feel at home. Larger communities that offer more amenities and resources tend to cost more than smaller communities that provide the same level of care. The size and style of senior living facility.Senior living staff determine these needs prior to a resident’s admission and adjust them as needed, whether due to increased age, an injury, illness or other factors. A person’s specific care needs depend on how much assistance they require throughout the day. However, other facilities exclusively offer one specific level of care. Some facilities offer continuing care, which allows residents to age in place, from independent living to assisted living to memory care. What’s more, many facilities increase rates annually to account for inflation. As the overall cost of living rises in particular location, so does the cost of senior living.

Prices vary by state, county and even locale within a city. Location has a drastic impact on senior living costs. Many factors can contribute to the cost of senior living, shares Beau Herman, a Florida-based certified senior advisor and owner of Assisted Living Locators Orlando Northeast.Īccording to Herman, some of the main factors that influence cost include: While we work hard to provide accurate and up-to-date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Health does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Health. Second, we also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles these “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. This compensation comes from two main sources.
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