One of the advantages of a residential care facility is that it is less expensive than a nursing home. The residential care facility provides residents with a greater level of autonomy. Since the care is not as closely managed, residential care facilities are able to keep their costs down. To determine whether a particular facility is within your budget, be aware of the different fees associated with residential care and what can make this service more expensive.

Specialized Services

The residential care facilities that tend to be more expensive are those that provide dementia care. Also, the costs tend to vary from state to state. The states that have the most expensive residential care services are those in which it is the most desirable to live.

All-Inclusive Models

The most simplistic billing model is the all-inclusive model. This is when the resident is required to pay a single fee that includes rent, housekeeping, laundry, transportation, and any other services provided. But even if a facility is described as "all-inclusive," there might be bonus services that come with extra fees. All-inclusive facilities might be less expensive for residents in need of several services since the cost of these services is distributed between each resident.

Fee for Services

Some residential care services simply charge a monthly rent that includes food costs. Then, any extra services are charged as additional fees, often paid at the end of the month. For instance, if your loved one needs a specific physician therapy treatment periodically, this will be added.

Tiers

Sometimes the facility will have several tiers so that those who require lower levels of care can pay lower fees. Also beneficial with this type of system is how the level of care can be scaled based on the needs of your loved one. If a medical condition progresses and there is a need to increase the level of care, you can upgrade to a higher tier.

Application Fees

Some residential care facilities will have administrative fees, application fees, or community fees. These are up-front charges that can be applied if they are stated in the admission agreement. This fee must be refunded if your loved one does not enter the retirement home and the retirement community fails to provide an upfront assessment. These fees are usually only charged for companies that are specialized in catering to a specific type of resident. While the fees charged by the facility shouldn't be the only factors you consider when choosing a residential care facility, taking these factors into account can help you choose a facility with the right flexibility and that you find to be affordable.

To help you in your search for the right facility, start by contacting local establishment like Gateway Living.