Cons: Assisted Living. Cost, especially in Westchester and Fairfield counties can be high. The average cost for a studio apartment with no added care levels ranges from $5,000 to $10,000. One and two bedrooms are much higher. If the resident needs care, i.e. medication management, assistance with activities of daily living, the costs go up even more. Add to that if the resident needs a memory care community, higher costs still. Some communities are completely dedicated to those with dementia, typically have all-inclusive monthly costs. Another Con is when a resident's level of care increases and they have moved into an independent or totally Social Model community, they may have to move to another community that can meet the needs. This is a Con because the communities typically charge a "community fee" which is usually equal to one months rent. Then there's the cost of the move and the changes for the resident can be devastating.
The fix for that is to consult with an agency like mine, where there is no fee to the resident, but we find the most appropriate assisted living community for the residents needs now AND in the future. For example, if a client has early stage dementia and moves into a Social Model community, when there is an increase in the dementia or a decline in physical care, I always recommend communities that can care for the resident throughout the course of their lives. I always do the right move the first time.
Please call or email me with any questions, I am always willing to help!