Ages ago, old folks’ homes were the only solution to facilitate older adults. But that has fortunately changed with the help of technology and the availability of elder-care foundations to support those in need. Although, it is much more complicated than turning a house into a care home. Today, various regulations surrounding assisted living facilities require adequate staffing, building codes, and licensing.
As you continue to search for suitable senior living options, you may get entangled in numerous contracts, applications, and fees. It’s essential to weigh your options, keeping your current home condition, neighborhood, and state laws in mind to convert your home into an assisted living facility. Remember, this will be a lengthy process, so be patient and use this time to make sure you are opting for what’s best for you.
Costs of Converting Your Home Into an Assisted Living Facility
Most assisted living communities charge a move-in fee, which can be paid upfront or monthly to give you payment flexibility. However, usually, it can cost anywhere from $1000 to $5000, depending on various factors.
Your assisted living facility contract will include a breakdown of particular services you require, plus any additional changes you need to make to turn your current home into an assisted living facility. There may be modification requirements from the state or municipality that you need to comply with. For example, residents need stairlifts due to mobility limitations, so you have to look into installing specific equipment to facilitate your mobility. Many assisted living facility service providers rent out or sell used stairlifts to help reduce costs for senior citizens.
Service charges will vary depending on staff, housekeeping, meals, transportation, or other personal assistance. There may be more community charges on top of base costs, which are subjective to where you live.
The final amount you pay will be calculated based on the degree of ADLs (activity of daily living) services you sign up for and the time it takes for the hired staff to complete it. If a patient requires to be monitored during meal times and has ample medication scheduled, the charges will reflect accordingly. Simply put, a person requiring care for a couple of hours will pay less than someone who needs to be monitored closely for the whole day.
Another factor that can shoot up your assisted living facility costs is if you need memory care. Residents with Alzheimer’s or dementia need to be monitored 24/7, requiring more than one staff care.
There are package deals and flat fees in most assisted living communities. You can select the bundled package based on your needs, or if the flat fee meets your objectives where everyone pays an equal amount, do that.
Check Local Zoning
Before you explore your options, check local zoning of your property, city and state. There may be a high chance that assisted living facility is not permitted in your residential area. Check your municipality to find out whether converting your home into assisted living facility is at all an option for you. You can look into the application process if they give you a green sign.
Now keep in mind that zoning and building codes are entirely different things. You have to learn about the building codes for your local municipality. You need to think about whether your kitchen has to be a commercial one, and whether the local fire code allows you to proceed.
Determine Your State Laws
While you are on with your local municipality, you should look into your state laws to get a better understanding of the regulations surrounding assisted living facility licensing. Usually, you’ll have to contact the health or social service department of your state. For example, Texas has a dedicated department overlooking aging and disability services, but that may not be the case for you.
Find out the regulations on facility space, structural requirements, and safety standards. You can compare your current home condition with the state requirements. Now is the time to identify what modifications and renovation costs you need to consider to comply with the codes.
Finances
Before you make an application for a license, you have to have your finances secured. You have to ensure that you have sufficient money to renovate your home. Under state law, you also have to factor in the staffing fees required for clinical support.
One way to ensure you generate an income from your assisted living situation is to have more residents in your current home. You can always charge them an amount for rent, which may make it easier for you to finance your assisted living transformation.
If you want to apply for a license to make it available for other residents, you need to make sure you have a business plan. The state officials will inspect your living situation after you file your assisted living facility application. Before you get an issued license, you may have to tick all the prerequisites of modifications to qualify.
Seek Professional Help
Yes, going through the entire process of converting your home into an assisted living facility is not a one-person job. Therefore, hire a contractor with experience in assisted living facilities and health care modifications. Before you commit to anything, make sure you compare prices from different contractors. Your contractor should acquire a license to transform your home into an assisted living facility. Make sure you declare who your contractor is to your local municipality so that they address building permits or structural requirements to your contractor directly.
Conclusion
Think again; just because you can convert your current home into an assisted living facility doesn’t necessarily mean that you should. You have to spend a hefty amount to make that transformation, and investing in senior housing may mean going through your life savings. If it’s for your personal use, you can look into other homes that have the license to operate as an assisted living facility. All you have to do is pay rent to be a resident. Talk with your local sources before you finalize your decision.
