The senior living market can be overwhelming with all its options and choices to consider. You want to be independent and live on your terms. But with the high cost of living, it is not easy to balance independence and safety. When finding a senior-friendly independent living community, there are two main options: all-inclusive senior living and a la carte senior living. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, but which best fits your needs?
In this post, we’ll compare these popular options for senior living as to how they differ, how they’re similar, and how each affects the cost of aging in place.
What Is All-Inclusive Senior Living?
All-inclusive senior living is a type of senior living that provides residents with everything they need to live comfortably in their homes. This includes meals, housekeeping services, transportation, entertainment and other amenities. The cost of all-inclusive senior living tends to be higher than that of a la carte because you are paying for more than just housing and food; you’re also paying for utilities, transportation, and other services included in an all-inclusive package.
What Is A La Carte Living?
A la carte living is a way of living that offers residents a choice of services and amenities. Besides basic services like food housekeeping, residents can avail themselves of amenities of their choice by paying extra. For example, people who need help with medication management or memory care will need to buy the services separately. A la carte living allows for greater flexibility because residents have more control over what kind of care they receive from the community.
Pros of All-Inclusive Senior Living
You only have to worry about one bill. Additional services are included in the monthly price, and unlike a la carte services, they’re not subject to change based on your income or health status. This makes planning easier and eliminates the risk of paying more than you expected each month. Some senior living communities offer guaranteed pricing for life as part of their all-inclusive packages! You get peace of mind knowing that every need has been considered by experts who care about seniors’ well-being at every stage of life—and you don’t have to do anything except enjoy yourself!
Pros of A La Carte Living
You’ll have more control over what you pay for, and you can tailor a plan to fit your needs. If you aren’t interested in paying for services that won’t be used, or if you’re financially able to take care of yourself, a la carte living is perfect!
Conclusion
Our research shows that all-inclusive senior living offers a higher level of care and more consistency than a la carte living. There will be no unexpected expenses if you choose the former. All-Inclusive senior living offers comfort and convenience through amenities like transportation, grocery delivery and housekeeping services. Finally, all meals are included in these communities, so there’s no need to worry about managing an older adult’s diet while they live independently in a retirement community!
