Many assisted living communities welcome and serve couples. Partners can continue to live together while each receives personalized support. Understanding your options can help you make a more confident decision as you explore senior living solutions that help you stay with your partner.
Assisted living communities are designed to provide around-the-clock support to the residents who live there. While many seniors move to assisted living on their own, couples also are welcome and often find that they are able to benefit from the move they make to assisted living together.
When a couple moves to assisted living, they are evaluated and served individually. This ensures that each person can receive the support they need in order to be as healthy as possible. For example, if a wife needs little help with activities of daily living but her husband requires more assistance with grooming and showering, they will each get what they need instead of a one-size-fits-all approach. In many cases, this attention to customized support can create an environment where both members of the couple can thrive and be as healthy as possible.
Living together in assisted living is possible thanks to the design of the community itself. Most assisted living communities provide a variety of floorplans to choose from, including studios, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom options. This allows the couple to choose a home layout that will work for their preferences and for their budget.
For a couple who still shares a bed, a studio or 1-bedroom choice could be the best solution, while a 2-bedroom option would give them extra space for a study. However, for a couple who finds they sleep better in different rooms, a 2-bedroom option gives everyone the space and privacy they need.
When touring potential communities, take a look at all the floorplans available. Then, take into consideration:
While the couple will be living together, each will receive the type of assistance and support that meets their individual needs. Each senior will receive their own care plan, written by a nurse on-site, that details their preferences, health goals, and outcomes. Caregivers use this care plan to help them provide customized assistance. Information on that care plan could include that the senior prefers to sleep in and then needs hands-on assistance with dressing while the other senior’s care plan might include they are an early riser and only need verbal cues to get them going in the morning.
Assisted living communities also provide different levels of care, based on how much support a resident needs with activities of daily living (ADLs) – grooming, dressing, bathing/showering, eating, toileting, transferring, and ambulation. While more support often means a higher level of care (and a higher monthly price tag), it also ensures the senior is getting the assistance they need to remain as healthy, safe, and independent as possible. If one member of the couple requires a higher level of care, they are able to receive it, making assisted living a great option for years to come. Levels of care are determined by regular assessments and are meant to flex as the needs of a senior changes over time.
In the majority of cases, couples with different care needs are able to remain living together. However, if there is dementia at play, the couple might be able to still live in the same assisted living community, but the person with dementia might need to live in another room in the memory care unit of the community. This still gives the couple time to see one another, enjoy meals together, and even attend events as a couple.
Couples don’t always require the same amount of assistance. In fact, it is common in assisted living for one person to require more support than their partner. In most cases, assisted living communities can handle this difference thanks to those varying levels of care. However, sometimes a senior can end up requiring more care than assisted living can legally provide. For example, a senior who needs skilled care services, such as wound care management, IV medications, or extensive support with more than 4 activities of daily living, would need to move to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) to receive those services.
Staff members at the assisted living community are there to support residents and their family members. They will work closely with the senior couple and their loved ones to plan for any transition that may need to happen, ideally giving everyone plenty of time to prepare for that move. However, emergencies and significant changes in health can sometimes make that transition time much shorter.
When a couple moves to assisted living, they both get the opportunity to live in a home with access to that around-the-clock caregiver support and the peace of mind that comes with it. In addition, the couple can access amenities and services designed to enhance their health and overall wellness.
But moving together can also mean unique benefits, like:
Genworth reports that the average cost of assisted living is $6,200 per month. This monthly fee does vary from location to location, and most communities provide some type of discount for couples. This way, you wouldn’t necessarily be paying $12,400 per month per couple. Instead, communities offer a discount on the 2nd person, sometimes referred to as a companion rate.
Each assisted living community is different, so be sure to ask questions about the financial side of things while you are touring potential communities. Consider touching on:
Assisted living monthly fees include the majority of living expenses, including the apartment, most utilities, meals (3 per day in the dining room), some activities, and access to services at the community. Increased rates can be added due to an increased level of care, as well as extras like pet fees, medication delivery, or supply fees.
You can also expect to pay more for the type of floorplan you select. For example, a studio apartment will typically cost less than a 2-bedroom.
While assisted living communities do offer a predictable expense schedule each month, it is still wise to consult with your financial advisor to ensure the community and apartment layout you select is feasible for your short and long-term living goals. Consider your current living expenses and compare those monthly costs with the cost of an assisted living community.
You can also speak with potential communities to see if there are any promotions they are running that could decrease your monthly costs or if you can offset those costs with long-term care insurance or Veterans Aid & Attendance benefits.
When you’re considering a move to assisted living as a couple, be sure to involve both people in the decision. You can evaluate potential communities based on your budget, needs (current and future), and preferences.
Any move can be stressful, so you want to be sure you are making smart choices that reduce the chance that you’ll need to move again within a few months. The AARP reports that most older adults live in assisted living for about 3 years on average, but it is common for seniors to stay for much longer depending on their health, mobility, and independence. However, taking an honest look at your current needs is a great way to begin your search for the ideal community. We also recommend speaking with your physician to see their recommendation and prognosis for how your needs might change in a few months and a few years.
In addition to your medical outlook, consider your preferences for socialization opportunities. If one member of the couple thrives in social situations, living in a senior community is an excellent choice as opposed to living at home isolated.
Finally, remember that both members of the couple will experience different challenges with aging. That doesn’t mean that they need to live separately. Speak with the potential assisted living community to see how they can support the couple living together as long as possible, despite any challenges that may come up in the future.
Asking the right questions can help you make your best decision. Consider adding these to your list:
Each assisted living community has its own unique amenities, services, and features. As you tour potential options, determine how those might fit into your preferences and interests. Keep your eyes peeled for:
Assisted living communities are excellent places for couples to call home, as they offer personalized support that ensures everyone gets what they need to feel their best. Be sure you are choosing a community that suits your needs now and can meet changing needs in the future, reducing the possibility of another move.
It’s never too early to plan ahead, especially when you’re taking into consideration the needs and preferences of 2 people instead of 1. Explore more about assisted living at Legend Senior Living, and consider setting up a visit at a residence near you.
Come see what’s possible. An in-person visit is so much more than a website visit. Explore the community, meet the team, ask a million questions, and decide what feels right.
