Moving a parent to memory care can be emotionally daunting for so many reasons. Will your loved one receive the personalized care they need? Are you making the right decision? How much will dementia care cost, and how will you fund it all?
Here at Terra Vista, it’s our goal to ensure that the transition of your loved one into our memory care community is smooth and seamless. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of things to know about memory care costs, as well as real-life tips to make the move as stress-free as possible. Here’s a realistic look at what to expect financially when moving a parent into memory care, and how you can prepare for it.
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The Monthly Cost of Memory Care: What to Consider
What is the true cost of moving a parent into memory care? Let’s start with the most obvious expense: the ongoing cost of care.
Dementia care costs vary based on your location, the level of care your loved one needs, and the services and amenities included by the community. At Terra Vista, we’re committed to transparency – we offer all-inclusive pricing to avoid surprise charges. However, you should always ask exactly what’s included in your loved one’s care to ensure you know what you’re paying for.
Typical dementia care costs include:
- Monthly rent for a private or shared apartment
- 24/7 care and supervision from skilled caregivers
- Meals and snacks
- Activities, enrichment, and social programs
- Medication management
- Housekeeping and laundry services
- Security features and emergency systems
However, there may be additional fees if your parent needs help with things like mobility, incontinence care, or complex medical conditions.
Upfront Dementia Care Community Fees
When moving a parent to memory care, it’s common to pay a one-time community fee upon move-in. These fees range in price but help to cover administrative fees, apartment preparation, and resident onboarding. The fee isn’t a deposit (it’s usually non-refundable) so you should be sure to factor it into your overall costs.
Moving Costs
Moving a parent to memory care comes with its own set of costs outside of the community. These can vary depending on how much help you need to make the move. Here are some of the expenses you might encounter as you plan:
Professional movers. If you hire professional movers, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000. These costs will vary depending on the distance you’re moving, the amount of furniture and boxes, and if you hire packing help. If downsizing help is included, the cost may go up.
Senior move managers. Some families hire senior move managers when moving a parent into memory care. These specialists focus on relocating older adults and can help ease your stress. They can assist you and your loved one with:
- Sorting and decluttering
- Creating a floor plan for the new space
- Coordinating donations or estate sales
- Managing movers on the big day
Prices for senior move managers typically range from $50 to $150 per hour.
Storage facilities. If your parent is downsizing but not ready to part with certain furniture or belongings, you might need to consider temporary storage. These costs vary based on the unit size you choose as well as the duration of your storage lease but can run anywhere from $100 to $300 a month.
Downsizing and Home Sale Prep
If your parent is selling their home to help pay for dementia care, you should be prepared to pay for:
- Repairs and updates to make the home market-ready
- Cleaning and staging services for listing
- Realtor fees (these are usually 5-6% of the home’s sale price)
- Legal or estate planning help if the home’s ownership or power of attorney is unclear
These costs can sometimes be recouped when the home sells, but they still require you to spend money out-of-pocket until then.
Emotional Costs that Affect Time and Money
Putting aside the monetary costs, moving a parent into memory care can be mentally and emotionally draining. Stress can impact your work schedule, your caregiving capacity for other family members, and your own mental health. This can lead to costs like:
- Needing time off work, either paid or unpaid
- Travel costs if you don’t live near your parent or their new community
- Hiring respite help to cover caregiving while you manage the move
What’s Worth Paying For?
We know it can seem tempting to cut costs where possible when planning for dementia care, but here are some of the things we consider worth the investment.
- Professional downsizing help: This can save hours of stress and makes the move smoother for you and your loved one.
- Memory care communities with all-inclusive pricing, like Terra Vista: This prevents unexpected add-ons
- Safe, timely transitions: The sooner your loved one is in the right care setting, the better for their safety and your peace of mind.
Let Us Help You Prepare for Memory Care Costs
We know that moving a parent into memory care can be costly, intimidating, and even stressful – that’s why we’re here to help you make this investment in their safety and wellbeing. At Terra Vista, we offer personalized move-in support to make the transition smooth, stress-free, and as simple as possible. It’s our goal to ensure your loved one makes their transition into dementia care with grace, dignity, and compassion.
If you’re starting to explore memory care costs for a loved one, download our guide to navigating financing & affordability. We’re also happy to schedule a time to walk you through our pricing, what’s included in our community, and help you plan the move into this next chapter of life.
