Approx. Cost of Assisted Living Homes??

You can go to the medicare.gov site to see their ratings and reviews of places. That can give you a starting place for visits. We were going to move my MIL into Lakewood Village as they have 3 levels of assisted living. The price goes up with each one, but I think the basic started at just over $2000 a month. But she would need to be able to get around at least a bit for the first level. My MIL is living with her daughter now and has taken a turn for the worse, so I think we will be starting the search again ourselves for actual nursing. (which makes me sad, but she is on 16 meds now and having a rough time)

But here is the key to ANY place you put them. You have to show up OFTEN to visit and show up at odd hours. Don't get the in the habit of going at the same time. You need to see the staff at all hours. When my MIL had her 3rd stroke and had rehab for 2 months before she moved in with us we went every day to see her and came at all hours. One time we showed up at 2 am just to see what the staff was doing.

Why did we do this? Well, we had asked for rails to be put on her bed at one point becuase she didn't have full control. This was at about 5 pm. We came back to see her at about 8 pm. No bed rails. We asked and they said it would get done before she went to sleep. We stayed until 10 pm as they said the handyman was going to do it. The next morning we showed up and she had a bloody ear from falling out of the bed.

After that the nursing home didn't know what they had coming with us. We were in and out of there 4 or 5 times a day for the next 3 days at odd hours and you bet she started getting better care. That was the place that her insurance covered and I can guarantee that she will never go back there.

Okay, I'll get off my soapbox. Just do your research no matter where she goes.

My sister, manages Preston Place Retirement in Plano. Its not true assisted living, but they have meal programs and grop activities and things. She would be glad to give you a price for her units she might also have a list of affordable assisted living centers as she sees the progression from her complex to full assisted living. The office number is ###-###-####.

I agree with everything the other woman responded with. Price varies greatly, the care level varies greatly. We put my mother in a rehabilitation center where they would work with her to get her walking/able to move herself from her bed to wheelchair by herself. By doing this we could then put her in a lower level assisted living facility. There are some places that are like group homes but they require that the person be able to get into their wheelchair unassisted -this has to do with the state regulations on their type of facility. The home facilities tend to be more economical- we found one in N. Garland for about 1500/mo. The rehab center was about 3500/mo I think. It did accept Medicaid so use whatever federal assistance you can. Many facilities administrators will advise you on those options. Last but not least, make sure you have paperwork in place so you sign as a trustee of the estate (I think that is the right wording). If you just sign your name for her on the check in docs they can come after you personally for anything not covered and it can affect your credit. if signed for the estate then you are not financially responsible. My mom would probably be a better resource so if you want me to have her call you, email me your phone number in a private email.

Is your mother on medicare? If so, that may be where you would want to start if cost is an issue. Contact the medicare office and see what facilities accept medicare. Any type of care such as this is going to be tremendously expensive....my husband's grandfather is in a full care nursing home in Dallas and the cost is around $5000 per month.

You should "shop around" and visit as many places as possible....I think the cost will vary quite a bit, but the care will as well. If you do find a nursing home for her, just try and make sure it is close enough to where you live so that you can stop in often. If the workers there see that she is being looked in on frequently, she may receive a little more diligent care.

My grandparents are in the assisted living facilities at St. Joseph's village in Coppell. They can get around with little assistance, bathe and dress with some assistance, and have to be mobile enough to go down to the dining hall for meals. They also have to be able to manage their medications on their own. For a two-bedroom apartment with 1 bathroom and kitchenette (i.e. no cooktop), I believe they pay around $3,000 a month. This facility was a huge improvement for them over home healthcare because they have so many opportunities to interact with other seniors. We saw an immediate improvement in my grandfather (physically & emotionally) because he had spent the previous 10 years at home with very little opportunity to get out and about. And my grandmother loves all the planned activities, like scrap booking and other crafts.

My mother-in-law lived at Hearthstone Assisted Living Center in Irving for a year and a half. The facility and staff were wonderful. The price started at around $3000 a month and depended on just how much assistance she needed. With a roommate it would have been half the price; but she did better with her own privacy. They charged extra if they had to do her laundry, if she needed to be assisted to and from the lunch room, if she needed someone to be in charge of her medications, if she needed a connection to the cable service. Her phone service was included in the base price, including long distance. We provided the furnishings and any wall decorations. She had a sink and refrigerator that was provided, plus a private bathroom. We kept the refrigerator stocked with snacks for her and any visitors who came to see her. Someone checked on her and she had a call button and could reach the desk by phone. They provided so many activites for the residents....something different everyday and holiday along with their regular routine. She could have an aid come in to assist with her shower and such; or family could help her. They provided a beauty shop or the stylist could come to the room...that was an extra charge. There were special events provided that would include an invitation to family members. There were game rooms and a tv room. The dining area was immaculate and she could have guests for lunch anyday. They offered a church service and bible study. Yet, those who were still able to be out and about could go out in shopping groups, doctor appts., etc. She could eat in the dining room or in her own room...they would bring meals to them for a small charge; but they encouraged them to come to the dining room. They had special friends to eat with. They had a post office with private box. We would pick her up for family activites at our homes and to see the great grandchildren's school activities and such, the city 4th of July parade, holidays, etc. It was so lovely and the staff was very cheerful. I didn't notice any turn-over in staff and understood it was a good place to work. She was always anxious to "get back home".

When her health began to deteriorate they offerred hospice care in her own room. There was someone with her 24 hours a day when she needed it...even with family available. They were so comforting. Medicare paid for her electric wheelchair and stepped in to pay for the hospice care.

I wish you luck in your search for care for your family member.