Most older adults will need some form of long-term care services at one point or another. These necessary services, including assisted living services, come at a price. Knowing what is included in assisted living costs—and how to pay for senior care services—can help seniors and their family members make informed decisions regarding long-term care.
How Much Does Assisted Living Cost?
According to CareScout and Genworth Financial’s Cost of Care survey, the median monthly cost of assisted living facilities in the United States was $5,900 in 2024.
What is Included in the Cost of Assisted Living?
Assisted living is typically considered the level of care between independent living and memory care or skilled nursing care. It is ideal for older adults that need some assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) like toileting, bathing, and dressing.
What each community covers in its base fees will vary, although common services and amenities covered by community fees include:
- On-site caregivers
- Medication management
- Personal care services
- Regularly scheduled social activities
- Basic housekeeping and laundry services
What is Not Included in the Monthly Fee at an Assisted Living Community?
Services and amenities that are not included in the monthly cost of assisted living will also vary by community. Common add-on options many assisted living communities offer that may not be covered under the base monthly fee include:
- Health care service administered by a registered nurse
- Transportation to medical appointments
- Private room
- Hospice services
- Personal toiletries
- Hair cuts and beauty services
Financing Assisted Living
Many senior living communities are private pay, meaning they typically only accept direct payments or coverage from accepted long-term care insurance policies. Other assisted living locations may accept other forms of payment or coverage, including:
- Veterans benefits (VA benefits)
- Medicaid
Assisted Living Costs FAQs
What do you pay for in assisted living?
What assisted living fees cover vary by community, but there are three primary models:
- A la carte: Some assisted living communities charge for all services using a pick-and-choose/a la carte model, where residents pay only for the services they need and nothing else.
- Base plus extras: Most assisted living communities offer basic services (assistance with ADLs, dining programs, medication assistance, etc.) with additional services, like a telephone service or advanced meal plan, resulting in additional fees.
- All inclusive: A few communities use an all-inclusive model, where all available services and amenities are covered under the total monthly cost.
- Levels of care: Residents are charged based on the level of care (assisted living, memory care, etc.) that they need.
What is one of the biggest drawbacks of assisted living?
Assisted living is one of the most popular senior living options, giving many families peace of mind that their loved one’s needs are met. This level of care ensures all resident needs—including physical (e.g., help with ADLs) and emotional (e.g., regular socialization)—are met. This level of care is also often less expensive than homemaker services or home health aide options, according to CareScout’s Cost of Care survey.
While assisted living is the right choice for many families, it’s not the right choice for all families. Many older adults, for example, do not want to move from their familiar family homes to a new community. Others may not have a community available in their area. Still others may decide that various family members can assume caregiving responsibilities, delaying or even negating the need for professional senior care services.
What happens to senior citizens when they run out of money?
Older adults receiving long-term care services, once they run out of private funds, may qualify for government financial assistance like Medicaid.
What does Medicare pay for in assisted living?
What Medicare covers depends on the exact type of coverage someone has, such as Part A and B (Original Medicare) only or Original Medicare plus does Part D (prescription drug coverage) Medigap, and/or Part C (Medicare Advantage).
Parts A and B alone do not pay for long-term room and board. A combination of Parts A and B plus Parts D and C, however, may cover services like transportation for doctor visits. Medigap may further extend coverage to help offset other costs like deductibles.
Final Thoughts
Knowing what is included in assisted living costs can help older adults and their loved ones make more educated decisions regarding long-term care, helping families access the best care possible for their unique situation.
Disclaimer: Each person’s situation is unique. This article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to take the place of medical, financial, tax or legal advice.