What should I expect for monthly rent with independent living?

juddabuddhaboo, ah yes, so true about God speaking to one's parent.

I believe we will always be *children* to our parents even though we have grown up to be experienced and educated adults. Our parents still thinks they themselves know better :P

it all depends on where you live.

Here in the Pacific N.W. it is from $3500 to $7500 but that is with nursing aids on the floor.

Prices vary quite a bit. I have seen very run down, not well cared for faciities. REALLY, it is about your preferences and yo ffff

Mom is now living in the town funded senior housing that has different income levels. Food is not provided, and it has minimal social provisions but it's plenty: a fitness room, a social all purpose room with a gourmet kitchen, a little library, a patio, and shuttle to doctors, food shopping, and senior center. Mom pays $927 a month for a really nice one bedroom apartment with a large living room, granite counter tops, and nice touches for senior living. Look up senior housing in your state and look up what help there is for different levels of income.

The building where my in-laws now live has studios starting at $5,000 per month. This is an all inclusive residence and it is on the luxury end of things. They have emergency buttons next to every single toilet in the building, in every shower stall and in every bathtub area. When I say all inclusive I mean meals, parking, transportation, activities, exercise classes, social activities, wellness checks by the physician and nurses, utilities, weekly housekeeping and laundry, special events, religious services, swimming. It's incredible really what they now do and their lives are so much better than when they tried to live alone. Of course many cannot afford this level of service; however, anyone considering an independent living building or assisted living ought to beware about cheap or rock bottom prices. We visited the building before even broaching the subject with my in-laws. If the residents do not look happy they aren't happy and you should run out the door and never look back. If you cannot afford to pay for a quality building in which to move then the next best thing will be to piece together essential services in your home. For example, when it became clear that my in-laws could no longer go grocery shopping I did it for them and prepared meals in advance for them and left them in the freezer so that they could warm them up in the oven. If you need help with activities of daily living like getting dressed and bathing, hiring a person for a morning or evening shift may be very valuable to you. Get referrals from friends, neighbors and your faith based organization if you belong to one for reputable services at home. Again, beware of prices that are cheap or people who want to work off the books for a reduced rate. If you have an accountant, use him/her to your advantage and do everything on the books so that you can deduct as much of these expenses from your taxes as the law allows. I have found so much good advice and information on this forum so keep us apprised of your progress. We're all trying to figure out this aging thing. Good luck!

Hi folks. I live in an independent living sr apartment in Vancouver, WA. I pay $763 a month for a 2 bedroom apartment. I didn't want to put my computer in the living room or bedroom. There are no meal here except on special occasions. I get Meal on Wheels. My daughter takes me to the store for other things. Also she takes me to the VA when I have an appointment. I pay for internet, and lights. They have cards to put money in for the washers and dryers. All in all that is very expensive for someone on Social Security. My daughter says that is the cheapest sr place and also for an apartment. It is nice here, clean, safe. There very few activities that I enjoy. Most of the folks here like to play cards. I used to, but lost interest. I go to a bible study and bingo once a week. I write books and get the published/printed by a company called CreateSpace. If any one has written a book, novels or non fiction, poems, they are a good company. Any thing the publish goes on sell with Amazon. It doesn't cost anything for them to print your book. You can buy them for a small amount. And hopefully some one will buy them from Amazon. I have written 5 and working on the 6th. If I can do that at 82, you can too. Good luck. Verna

I live in an independent Sr apartment in Vancouver, WA. I have a 2 bedroom apartment. One bed room is my 'office' where I have my computer and printer and bunch of junk. My rent is $763 a month for the 2 bedrooms. No meals here. Pot luck once a month. I pay for internet, and lights.TV and phone comes with the internet. That is usually $120, lights about $40. That is way to high for someone on S.S. which I am. My daughter says it is the cheapest place here. I don't want to live with her. I get Meals on Wheels. That helps with grocery bills. I pay a small donation for that. Very little activites here except card playing. I don't have any interest in that. I go to bible study and bingo. I may have to quit bingo until I can get my hearing aids fixed or replaced. I am so glad that I am a veteran because I can to to the VA here for health care. No dental unless it is service connected. My is not. I had nice teeth going in and still for the most part.
I pay a co pay of $8.00 a month for medication, which I am on about 5 different kinds including insulin, which I give myself a shot once a day. So I am better off than most 82 year old folks. I am lonely here because I have a hard time making friends here. If I had stayed in my home in Oklahoma City, I had a few friends. Most of my friends are dead now. I don't know why I am still here. There must be a reason. Thanks for letting me go on and on, Verna

It looks like I put most of that information in before. I must be getting old.
Verna

I just depends or where and what they offer. I live in an Independent living apartment in Vancouver, WA. My rent for 2 bedroom is $763. Too much for someone on S.S. I pay about $120 for internet and about $40 for electricity. No meals here, except occasional pot luck. Very little activities unless you like playing cards, I don't. I get Meals on Wheels, which is not gourmet, but OK.
My daughter lives about 20 miles from here.and takes me to the store and the VA as I am a veteran. I am so thankful for the VA as I have gotten good care. I am getting some new hearing aids soon. I know that information is not important to any one unless he or she is a veteran. I have few friends here. They are good folks. We don't have the same interests. I have a hobby that keeps be at the computer, I write books. Some women here have read them and I got a few good comments. I am not asking any one to get them, but if you are interested in seeing what I write, go to Amazon.com and type in Verna Allen
There some other folks books on the same page. Some have similar names as mine. I guess that is why. I am very lonely here. My son and his family live in North Carolina and the rest of my family lives in Oklahoma. After my husband died, my children thought I should be near one of them. I was in N. Carolina for awhile, but my daughter wanted me to come here. I hope you find what you are looking for and will be happy with it. Verna

Well, I did it again. Posted almost the same information again. Must be old age.
Verna

Well, I did it again. Posted almost the same information again. Must be old age.
Verna

The picture of me on my comments was taken in Landstuhl, Germany. It was a new hospital at the time, 1953. I was at the information desk. I don't know who the airman is. He was there when they want a picture.

Someone mentioned Meals On Wheels as a possibility for an Independently living senior. Please do not wait until they get tired of cooking. The advantage of Meals on Wheels is that someone sees your parent each delivery day (week days in most communities). The MOW person has been trained to look for signs of distress or notice changes in their clients. There is a protocol of what to do if someone does not answer their door or seems out of sorts. Having this friendly visitor taking a peak at your senior on a regular basis is a great help and most clients build a rapport with their delivery person and look forward to a brief interaction each day. Most MOW programs have a variety of plans (daily, certain days, can include night meals, some can provide weekend meals) check with your local provider. In NH, these programs are operated on a county basis but your state may have another plan.
Some communities also have places where seniors can gather to have "congregate" meals. In our community there is transportation to pick up seniors and take them to/from the weekday meals. This way they get a chance to see others and build a relationship. And the price is reasonable (donation based) and so is the transport.

I live in an independent living apartment in Vancouver, WA. My 2 bedroom apt is $763 a month, plus internet and lights. I think it is high for someone on SS. I would be living in Oklahoma City. OK if my daughter didn't want me here. Rent is much cheaper there. I lived in one Wilmington, NC and it was a lot cheaper than here. I use Meals on Wheels. Not bad, just plain food.

Wow, I wonder where the folks are living that independent living communities were charging less than $2000 per month? When we were first looking (before we realized that AL was going to be a necessity), we were finding rents of around $3000 for one person, $3500 for two people for independent living apartments with all meals, weekly cleaning, and planned activities and transportation.

I have lived in 3 independent living places. No meal were served or house cleaning. Here in Vancouver, WA it is $763 for 2 bedrooms. In North Carolina and on Oklahoma rent was around $400 for a one bedroom. In Oklahoma City I paid for water because we had stacked w/d in the apartment. Other places we put coins or card in the washers and dryers. Internet and light are extra.

My experience is that there are some assisted living facilities that start at 1000.00 and up.

And some really nice senior citizen hud type living facilites. I use to volunteer on a gov't board that met every few months, to discuss contractors wanting to do business with the County. So I would get the tips on new building projects, that were for senior citizens,low income and when they were to be completed. So right when they were ready to open up, I would have that information to spread around.

When I last wrote, I was living in an Independent living in Vancouver, WA. I wrote in a previous the price., $761 plus lights. I now live in an assistant living in Vancouver. The rent for a studio in almost $3000.00 a month. I got a no interest loan from Discover card to pay for a 2 1/2 months until my VA benefits kick in. It has 3 meals a day, activities and help from nurses if needed. So far I don't. I am still able to refill my meds and take them. Those who can't pay an extra $300.00 for that. Bummer. They have local preacher came for church service on Sunday and one of them comes Monday for bible study. which I attend. Most of my stuff is at my daughters house as I have no room here. I will be going through my stuff again to see what I can live without. My daughter wanted me here because she thought I was getting too absent minded to be in the independent one. I do lose my train of thought when I am talking to folks and have to start over. But they are all like me, so they don't mind. Some of the women especially, are in really bad shape. I am still able to write my fiction books which I write large print and mostly geared for older women. I have gotten good comments from the few women who have read them. The two preachers have read my book, Joanna, wife of Chuza. She is a woman in the bible. They both told me that they really liked it. I hope I stay able to write more. When my VA kicks in, with my S.S. I will have about $350.00 left. Enough to buy my books from CreateSpace to send to my friends and family in Oklahoma City, OK. My daughter pays my internet. Good luck finding the right place for yourself or family member. Verna

In Chicago area, there is a very nice place that used to be a very nice hotel that charges $1200 a month for a nice room, three meals a day and activities.

Will this service accommodate a disable 72YO Mom/Sister who is needing a Senior Living Handicap unit. She will need minimal care with bathing and personnal care. She will need assistance with hot meals. She will need limited house cleaning service. Right now she is able to take her own Medicines.

I just moved to an independent senior living village of 50 people. I am a very healthy 63 yr old. It's beautiful. I was so poor that now thanks to government, town, and HUD I pay a third of what my income brings in. Now I can go to a dentist and pay out of pocket for good care, take cheap senior aerobic classes, work, take care of my mother in the next town. There are people here up to almost 100. I love it! I thank God and kind people every day that I can live a fuller life than before. Helping young seniors afford housing means they can contribute to their society in many other ways. I find myself more willing to help others because I am not so stressed out as I was when all that I earned was going to my wealthy landlord.

I love to create my own food. I had dental problems and could not chew a lot of healthy veggies, so I juiced beets, carrots, kale, ginger, lemon, peppers, apples, limes, lemons, and had fun creating my delicious drinks. I discovered tons of soft food items to enjoy while waiting for the dentist appt: herring, dairy products, beans, berries, watermelon, shrimp, tomatoes, cucumbers, and so on.

I cut my dentist bills by swishing my mouth with coconut oil a few times a week, brushing with ORA D peppermint oil, and using a Sonic Care electric toothbrush, and yes, flossing. Deep pockets that I had last year were reduced by half! I never use drugs, don't smoke or drink alcohol.

Mom and I are getting along better when I don't have to see her more than once or twice a week. Today we went shopping at Saver's, her favorite store. She said she was going to tell her doctor that she found a new doctor: Dr. Savers.

I am looking into Independent living facilities for my Mom in Northern Colorado. I dont think she can afford anything over $2000 a month. She does have a long term insurance and is a Surviving spouse (VA). Will these two work as supplements or what other programs can we looking for assistance without having to sign over all of her assets?

Paulbonner: I put my name in on local senior housing and now live in a very nice and very affordable place in MA. Look up affordable senior housing and if your Mom qualifies she might get in one. At least get on the waiting list. If she needs helpers, aids, and such, I see other older ones here getting that as well: might be something they pay extra for.

I meant to say I am now living in assistant living. I am not too happy here, but I guess I am almost ready for it. It is very expensive and I could not afford it if I were not a veteran. It hasn't kicked in yet so I had to take out a huge loan. When I joined the WACs in 1951, I had no idea of the benefits. I went to college on the GI bill and then later started using the VA hospitals. I order and take my meds, which I am thankful I can do that. I write books, but they are full of typos as I am not a good typist and no one here to proof read for me. CreateSpace website does a good job with my books, but no proofreading. If you feel inclined to write, novels, or bios, etc, check them out. Good Luck. Verna

I have never had to sign my assets over, maybe because I don't have any. Independent living is a lot cheaper and assistant living. Some people in the AL have homes and as far as I know they still own them. Family members live in them as I have been told. Check everything out before you comment yourself or family members. Verna

The cost depends on location and income. There are many goverment sub. independend living for seniors 65+ or disable under 65 in all cities.

Seniors are considered different ages: as young as 55 in some places. What your allowed income is also varies.

VA assistance will only pay for assisted living and you have to prove that you need it, so best to save that option for when you do. I'm glad to hear there are some affordable options out there!