Retiree Decides to Spend Rest of Life at Holiday Inn, Since It’s Cheaper Than a Senior Home

Gritpost ^ | February 25, 2019 | Tom Cahill

[goldstategop]

No. I live in an assisted living residence. I need help with my meds.

I get three meals a day and I live in my own private apartment. Oh and did I mention its paid for by a Medicaid waiver?

Cheaper than living in a motel. Which for liability reasons won’t provide seniors help when they might need it.

[goldstategop]

Agreed. Most of the cost in assisted living is for the help you’re getting.

You’re still an independent person but the daily activities of living become harder and more burdensome.

I’m spared having to cook, to do laundry and to clean, I can just enjoy life.

Just perfect for me after having a heart surgery that’s depleted my strength.

[goldstategop]

A nursing home is a last resort. Living in one is extremely confining and you won’t like being treated like an invalid.

Unless you’re one, assisted living is a far better for most older people.

I just want help when I ask for it and I don’t want to be smothered like I’m incapable of looking after myself or in making my own decisions.

I don’t regret moving from a nursing home to an assisted living residence.

[goldstategop]

They’re state regulated while nursing homes are under federal oversight.

Assisted living is about residential care where you live like you do in apartment except you get assistance from trained staff when you need it.

If you have complicated or debilitating medical conditions that require 24 hour round the clock care, a nursing home is the only option.

Most people don’t need or require that kind of extensive assistance.

[OrangeHoof]

I was thinking this was a smart guy until I realized what hotel life is really like - running, jumping yelling children, yelling parents, slamming doors, people playing their tv’s too loud, people having sex in the neighboring room, folks above you thumping around at all times of the day and night, loud celebrations that spill into the parking lot, noisy 18-wheelers pulling up at 2 a.m. running their diesel engines for another hour because they don’t want to allow you the peace and quiet to rest.

Maybe the cruise ships would be nicer but I imagine I would have that bobbing up and down motion for days.

Not that I want to be in a retirement home where some old hag decides which jell-o you’re going to gum today. I have to give this more thought.

[goldstategop]

Most of these places are private pay so you need to have deep pockets or have the foresight to take out long term care insurance.

Problem with the latter is most people never do the latter when they’re young because they think nothing bad will ever happen to them.

But life can strike us down when we least expect it and we haven’t prepared for the future.

As our population ages, long term care is expected to become a major social, spiritual, medical, financial and political issue.

[cyclotic]

I spent something like 75 nights in hotels last year. Never stole a towel

[cyclotic]

My uncle works a couple hundred miles from his home. He stays at Red Roof Inn 3 nights a week. Same hotel, he has a couple favorite rooms.

I asked why he didn’t just get an apartment and he said the cost would be about the same, free maid service, free breakfast and a couple free nights every month.

Well, when you put it that way.

[goldstategop]

The food I eat is home made and excellent quality.

Fresh food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Look forward to going to the dining room every day.

I don’t have to shop for and cook my own food, Assisted living is like motel or cruise ship living with extras.

I’m happy with this lifestyle.

[cyclotic]

I stay at Comfort Inn or Quality Inn most of the time. On occasion two night will earn enough for a free night.

I’ve stayed at a few that I’ve been amazed at the price, especially in some rural areas, 60-70 a night

[goldstategop]

If you’re in good health, I can see it as a way to spend your retirement years.

If you need help with meds or with dressing, showering or toileting, then motel living isn’t suitable.

Older people need some help and there’s no reason why they can’t live independently and still get help when they need it.

That’s why assisted living is the fastest growing segment of the senior housing market.

[NFHale]

You’re probably correct...

[Irish Eyes]

Interesting...wonder what the cost would be.

Thanks, never heard of something like this.

https://aboardtheworld.com/

[mrsmith]

Ha!
In my rural area the Postmistress asked my neighbor to check on me because I hadn’tpicked up my mail for a while.

Love it here!

[mrsmith]

Thanks.
Your comments are very helpful!

[catnipman]

“At first glance, I thought the story was funny. But the more I thought about it ... it’s actually not a bad option. “

actually, MY first thought was that it seemed like something worth considering!

[oh8eleven]

Oh and did I mention its paid for by a Medicaid waiver?

And what is that?

[oh8eleven]

Great response!

[EVO X]

$1,800... I think I’ll look up the local charges in my area.

I did a quick look in my area. The lowest I could find for an extended stay for seniors was around $70 per day. An Ok 1 bedroom apt. goes for around $700 a month. Power and cable is around $250 per month. That leave ~$850 per months for periodic house cleaning and gym fees.

[daniel1212]

The numbers don’t seem at all right. Independent living centers don’t cost anywhere near $70,000 per year. My father and mother-in-laws spent about a third of that for the two of them (about the same as the Holiday Inn that was mentioned). This gave them sit down meals, and some transportation, and the all important BINGO.

About 20 years ago in a far suburb of Boston 70k a year was what it cost for my mobile mom. Nice place but I had to pay $4.00 to have dinners with her (though they first one was on the house).