As you consider what the future of retirement looks like for you or a loved one, one question often rises to the top: Can I afford to move to a Life Plan Community?
On the surface, aging at home may seem like the more affordable and simple choice. But when you take a closer look at all the expenses involved, both financial and emotional, the comparison becomes more complex.
To help you explore your options, we’ve created a simple, easy-to-use comparison tool. Click here for an instant download and get a clearer picture.
Comparing Retirement Community Costs to the True Cost of Staying Home
If you’ve reviewed the cost comparison chart, you’ll notice one of the standout advantages of a Life Plan Community is cost predictability. Most communities offer a straightforward monthly fee that typically includes:
- Beautiful homes
- Utilities
- Dining programs with chef-prepared cuisine
- Housekeeping and home maintenance
- Fitness programs and wellness activities
- Social events and entertainment
- Scheduled transportation
- On-site wellness services and priority access to long-term care
This comprehensive model means no surprise repair bills, no last-minute caregiver searches, and no sudden home modifications that disrupt your routine—or your budget.
Top-tier Life Plan Communities, like Reata Glen, often go a step further by offering access to higher levels of care, such as long-term care in assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing at little additional cost. This not only enhances financial predictability but also provides peace of mind, especially for couples who may age at different rates and require varying levels of care.
For many, this level of certainty makes long-term planning easier and removes the stress of juggling multiple service providers, rising healthcare costs, and unexpected home-related expenses.
What You Pay for Now vs. Later
When evaluating costs, it’s important to look beyond your current monthly expenses. While aging at home may not come with a clearly defined fee like a Life Plan Community, expenses can add up quickly as your needs change. Overlooked costs such as home modifications, in-home care, transportation, and emergency services often surface over time, making aging in place more complex and costly than it may initially appear.
Hidden Costs of Staying at Home
Social Isolation
Living at home, especially after a spouse passes or if adult children live far away, can lead to isolation, which is linked to serious health issues like depression, cognitive decline, and heart disease. Finding ways to stay socially engaged while living alone often requires driving to and paying extra for classes and events, which can become challenging over time.
In contrast, Life Plan Communities are intentionally designed to support social wellness. There are always neighbors nearby, planned programming, community activities happening daily, and ample opportunities for connection.
A Proactive Approach to Managing a Healthy Life
Without on-site support, even minor medical issues can escalate quickly. A simple fall at home or an undiagnosed health condition may lead to an avoidable emergency room visit, hospitalization, and high medical costs.
Life Plan Communities don’t eliminate medical expenses, but they offer convenient, consistent access to healthcare professionals and trained staff. This ongoing support helps identify health concerns early before they become emergencies.
By catching changes in health early and providing proactive care, Life Plan Communities help residents avoid disruptive moves, maintain independence longer, and enjoy a higher overall quality of life.
Retrofitting your home to age in place
As mobility needs evolve, retrofitting a home can be expensive and stressful and can still fall short of providing a fully supportive environment.
In California, the costs can range as follows:
- Full bathroom retrofit: $45,000–$75,000
- Grab bars: $100–$350 each installed
- Walk-in tub: $9,000, plus $5,700–$12,400 in installation and additional work
- Zero-threshold shower: $2,500–$9,000
- Stair-lifts: $3,000–$15,000
- Wheelchair ramp: $1,500–$6,000
- Motion-sensor lighting or non-slip flooring: $100–$500 per fixture, $800–$3,000 per room
Life Plan Communities eliminate this burden by offering purpose-built homes designed with accessibility and safety in mind, so you can enjoy your home comfortably and confidently as your needs evolve.
Peace of Mind: The Priceless Benefit
Beyond the numbers, one of the most valuable, often overlooked, benefits of a Life Plan Community is peace of mind.
Knowing that your needs will be met, your home will be maintained, your meals will be ready (and delicious!), and help is close at hand brings a level of emotional relief that is hard to measure, but deeply felt. It gives residents the freedom to focus on what matters: living well, making memories, and pursuing what brings them joy.
And for families, it’s just as meaningful. Loved ones can rest easy knowing that you’re not alone and that a trusted support system is in place.
Ready to Compare for Yourself?
When you compare the financial and lifestyle costs of aging at home with the comprehensive value of a Life Plan Community, the decision becomes clear.
A Life Plan Community like Reata Glen offers a secure, supportive environment where you can thrive today and feel confident about tomorrow.
It’s more than a smart financial choice. It’s a lifestyle upgrade and a thoughtful plan that provides unmatchable peace of mind for your future.
If you’d like to see how a Life Plan Community fits into your retirement plans, we’re here to help. Contact Reata Glen to schedule a personal consultation or a tour of our community in South Orange County. We’ll help you compare your current costs and explore how our community can provide long-term value, in every sense of the word.Â
