Affordable Senior Living Options for Budget-Conscious Families

Wisconsin has an aging population, with almost 1.5 million people over the age of 60.

The need for senior living is obvious in these kinds of circumstances. There are plenty of senior living options in Chippewa Falls and across Wisconsin, but not all of them are affordable.

In today's post, we'll explain how to find senior housing for families on a budget. Contrary to what some senior living communities believe, cost-effective elderly care is possible without sacrificing residents' quality of life or amenities.

It all starts with understanding what you need and matching that to what's available. Once you've done that, you can simply seek out the communities that best suit your budget while providing high-quality care to residents. Keep reading and let us simplify your search and give your loved one the best retirement possible.

Choose the Right Type of Care

There are a few different senior living options. Which one you choose will depend on your loved one's health situation. Matching your loved one's needs with the right type of care will help you maximize your budget.

Here are the 3 most prominent forms of senior care:

Retirement Homes

Independent living communities - aka "retirement homes" - are best for healthy seniors who want a low-maintenance lifestyle and to maintain their freedom. The communities operate more like condo associations or dormitories, allowing residents to come and go as they please.

They'll have access to comfortable accommodations, quality amenities, and activity programming. This gives them every opportunity to enjoy their retirement through healthy living and socialization with peers.

Assisted Living

Seniors who are dealing with more pressing health issues will benefit more from assisted living. These communities offer many of the same perks of independent living communities but with added care from qualified staff.

Care and housekeeping staff are available at all hours of the day to assist with whatever residents need. It could be help getting dressed in the morning, taking medications, or maintaining their hygiene.

An emphasis is still placed on residents' emotional and physical health. They'll be able to enjoy plenty of leisure time but have more freedom because they're being properly looked after.

Memory Care

Memory care is a special service offered through assisted living communities. It helps those dealing with Alzheimer's and dementia manage their symptoms so they can enjoy a high quality of life despite a difficult situation.

An estimated 120,000 Wisconsinites are living with cognitive decline. Each person's symptoms vary, but it's never an easy situation for families. Memory care staff are highly trained to help residents deal with these unique and ever-changing challenges.

What to Look for in Affordable Assisted Living

Picking the right type of care allows you to budget more effectively. From there, you can determine which senior living features matter the most for your loved one. Here are a few of the biggest factors to consider when making this decision:

Good Location

Location is so important for the transition into senior care. If your loved one is struggling with the idea of change, picking a location that friends and family can easily visit is a great move.

At the same time, location plays a big role in senior living costs. Communities located in population centers, surrounded by exciting amenities, are usually more expensive. That said, it's possible to find a community that still gives your loved one what they need without breaking the bank.

Reputation

When you begin your search, use ratings and reviews to help you separate the best communities from the rest. Loved ones of current residents can tell you everything you need to know about how a community operates.

If there are any issues with the level of care or the state of a community's amenities, you'll find out in the reviews. Reputable communities allow you to maximize your budget while getting the best care.

Impressive Accommodations and Amenities

Touring communities is a big part of the process. The first thing you'll want to gauge is the quality of the accommodations. This is where your loved one will spend most of their time, so you need it to be comfortable and welcoming.

The same is true of the community's amenities. Every community offers something unique, so you can match your loved one's interests to the amenities that matter to them.

While both things are important, choosing a community with more modest accommodations and amenities can help you save money. Prioritize your loved one's needs and cut costs on unnecessary amenities.

Daily Activities

Good communities will have daily programming to boost the physical and mental health of seniors. Each day, your loved one should have every opportunity to exercise and spend time with their peers.

The great thing about activity programming is that it doesn't need to be costly. Activities can include things like yoga, walking clubs, movie nights, games, and puzzles. Occasionally, the community might bring in outside speakers or performers, but it's not something that should raise the cost of care.

Fine Dining

Dining should be a priority for expensive and budget senior living communities alike. Alongside exercise, nutrition is among the most important parts of senior care.

Most seniors aren't going to cook nutritious meals by themselves, but they must eat well to avoid things like diabetes, weight gain, and even some cancers. Good communities will be able to give residents an in-house restaurant with a rotating menu of tasty and healthy meals.

Safety and Security

Seniors may be at risk of injury if a community doesn't have accessibility and safety features. Memory care communities may need extra security to prevent wandering, which is something six in ten Alzheimer's sufferers deal with as a part of their condition.

Choose the Top Senior Living Community in Chippewa Falls

Now that you understand what you should be looking at in senior living options, you can make the right choice for your budget and needs. There are good communities all over Chippewa Falls, but none give you the quality and affordability that LakeHouse Chippewa Falls does.

Our assisted living community prioritizes the most important things in senior care, so you don't have to worry about wasting a penny. Contact us today to book a tour and see the community for yourself.