Is Aging at Home Cheaper? A Financial Perspective
I still often think of my Uncle John, who lived to the robust age of 95. Although I can’t imagine how he could have lived longer, I do wonder if he could have lived better in his later years.
As my uncle grew up in the lean era of the Depression, he never parted with his money easily for his own comfort. Sometimes I ask myself: If I had taken the time to clearly analyze with him the financial costs of living at home versus a retirement residence, would he perhaps have avoided that fall in his home when he broke his hip? As a “tea and toast” bachelor, would he have benefited from wholesome, home-cooked meals as opposed to drinking a store-bought nutritional shake every day to get his nutrients?
The Dilemma of Aging at Home vs. Retirement Communities
If you or a parent are trying to make the often-difficult decision to either age at home or in a retirement community, please be sure to weigh all of the pros and cons, both from a financial and lifestyle perspective. This is a process you’ll want to support with time and patience; it’s not to be rushed for a fair comparison.
Karen Henderson, Independent Planning Specialist with the Long Term Care Planning Network, spoke with me about this topic. “It’s complicated!” she started. “There’s no template. Do you live in a house, condo or apartment? Do you have mobility issues that would require major renovations? And of course, what is the state of your health? Home care across the country varies from $24 - $35 an hour, and nursing is $60 plus per hour. I knew one family who was spending $10,000 a month on premium care for their father when he was battling prostate cancer and decided to stay at home.”
What are the financial considerations for staying in your own home in retirement?
If you’re like my Uncle John, you may assume that living at home is “free,” but that isn’t entirely true. Here are four financial considerations for aging at home:
Daily living expense. When you add up all of your monthly and annual costs to run and live in your home, you may be surprised to find how much you spend each month to maintain your quality of life. In some cases, an option like a retirement residence doesn’t cost that much more than the lifestyle someone currently leads.
Tallying up the cost of home care. Depending on your province of residence, home careexpenses for seniors can vary widely as mentioned above. Without realizing it, you or a parent could be spending upwards of $120,000 per year in home care costs if significant health care is required, just as Karen’s clients were. That is actually more expensive than life in a retirement residence! And don’t forget any costs for additional needs like meal delivery, housekeeping, snow-shoveling or home repairs and maintenance.
The cost of staying social. Research continues show how important it is to stay social in our retirement years, and for those people who take this to heart, there’s still a cost involved. Transportation costs of things like taxis or car insurance if you still own your own vehicle, entertainment costs like coffees or meals out with friends, or other recreational endeavors like exercise classes or shopping trips all add up quickly.
Home ownership expenses. Even if you are now living mortgage-free, there are expenses involved with owning a home or renting an apartment. Property taxes, utility bills, insurance, condo fees—the list goes on.
Are retirement residence services worth the cost?
Once you do your cost comparison, if you aren’t in need of a lot of care from a home care provider, you may still find retirement living will cost more than you are paying at home currently. However, when you think of the retirement residencebenefits—such as dining options, fitness and leisure opportunities, round-the-clock security, and the social atmosphere—you may find the cost well-worth it, as it can make life more convenient, fulfilling and overall enjoyable. Like my uncle, you may find it tough to switch from “saving” to “spending,” but if you can afford it, consider it an investment in your health and wellness.
My Uncle John made strategic decisions with his investments, but not the investment of his lifestyle during his retirement years. If you’re considering retirement living, I encourage you to meet with a Chartwell Retirement Living Consultant or your Certified Financial Planner to understand the numbers, so you don’t end up missing out like he did!
For more financial advice about retirement living, download Chartwell’s Affordability for Senior Living Guide.
