Is anyone else outraged by the cost of living in a retirement home?

This is nothing new. Of course we are angry.
Yes. We need advocates in government.
Bottom line: no money - and lots of it - compromised care.
The 'someone' to lobby is YOU - US - people who care.
Align yourself with advocacy organizations or lobbyists working on this.
Post everywhere. Network.

The people that get caught are middle income. They are not poor enough to get government benefits poor/low income people get nor rich enough to afford care.
It is an outrage how we treat our elders in this country.

Honestly, considering what they do for the residents I don't feel that is outrageous. Someone is there 24/7 to monitor and assist. If you had to pay someone in the home to do this it would cost a lot more. Figure 24 hours a day x $25 an hour that's $600 a day! Times 30 days a month that's $18,000. They get meals, housekeeping, laundry, assistance with bathing and dressing, hair salons, social activities, companionship, etc. Seems like a bargain doesnt it? Dpont forget on-site physical therapy, medical care, transportation to activities and shopping. If you have ever had to get an elderly person with a walker to a doctor's appointment you will appreciate these amenities.

Yes, there are good and bad places and you have do to your homework to find a good fit. And never forget most residences are For-Profit businesses and the goal is to earn money for the investors.

Interesting. Yes, my brother and I had sticker shock, but my SIL, who was in charge of my mom's finances quickly realized that it was less expensive than the upkeep of the house.

Yes, they're very expensive. On the other hand - there's a lot of people around with several retirement incomes coming in that are willing to pay the high rates, unfortunately.

My friend's parents lived in one. Her Dad had 3. Yes 3! retirement incomes coming in, plus her Mom has SS. They could easily afford it. Compared to us with just one little 'ol SS income.

The market determines the cost and there are many places around like that where we live & they have waiting lists. Lots of rich folks around, I guess.

No one in my family will ever be able to afford one of these places.

There are other alternatives though - 55+ Mobile Homes at low prices with space rent that may be several hundred dollars a month - but they have activities and amenities, Senior Apartments, 55+ Condos. Or just aging in place and using the money they saved by not moving by hiring assistance as needed.

My Grandmother lived in a 2 story house. She aged in place by turning her dining room into her bedroom, and was helped by her family. She wound up renting out her upstairs to a young couple for extra money.

Instead of being discouraged and angry - remember, you can't change this situation. It's easiest to work within the parameters of what is affordable in your own situation. It is what it is, unfortunately.

Lobby the government? Government involvement always makes everything cost more. Government has no magic wand that makes things less expensive. It can only take from one person to give to another.

The amount of care our loved ones receive at these homes made every penny worth it to me. Had I been paying for 24/7 in-home care that wouldn't have even approached the level my mother received, I'd have paid more than $20,000 a month here in Southern California. As it is, we paid $8900/month, and it was a bargain in my eyes.

This is what preparing for one's retirement should include -- either savings for expenses like this, or long-term care insurance. It's the people who think their money shouldn't be spent on their own care and instead left to their children and grandchildren who tend to be the most outraged.

Setting a rate, and then charging it, is not theft.

They're mostly for profit businesses, so expecting them to screw you pricewise is the norm.

I would think you are talking about Assisted Livings. These are privately own so not sure if the government can do anything about it. They must be getting the 10k or they would lower the price. When I placed Mom they were looking for residents so I got her rent half price. She paid just under 5k a month.

I agree that something needs to be done. It is going to get harder for children to care for parents. I had one girl at 28 the other at 36. When I am 85 my girls will only be in their 50s. Both are single and have to work. There are LOs that are falling thru the cracks. Not poor enough for help and not enough money to afford an AL.

Yes, it made me angry, but we were able to negotiate with them for a lower price. It’s definitely worth a try,

Yes - I agree. It is not sustainable for most.

My Mom worked since she was 17. She wasn’t able to start to invest until she was around 50. And she worked right up till days before her stroke she was 2 weeks shy of 72nd birthday.

She did not live lavishly - she was the penny pincher generation. She believed she saved enough for retirement to live comfortably (as a minimalist) and had she not had a severe stroke she would have been ok. The one thing she didn’t have was Long term health. One massive stroke - every logical and careful decision she made went out the window.

She was 100% proactive in her health - no medications - exercised daily in her pool - just cleared all arteries (a little less than 2 months before) and running her own company fully independent. Things happen that cannot be planned for and when if they do happen there is not many great options for people with a higher level of needs. Scary and also sad - has made me think about the many who have even less than my mom - I often find myself in the hard moments telling mom “even if we feel lost here most days - we actually have so much more than many others”. I try to remind us of our blessing - as it’s not a pretty world out there for those with larger disabilities and it saddens me to no end.

Her money would be gone or close to gone right now if she was placed right away. She was a small business owner - as am I - I think back now and see that has also hindered myself in investing in my future. Ugh.

So yes - I do agree with you. To be healthy and living in active lifestyle and aging and having additional needs is hard to pay - but gosh one large medical health crisis really can throw everything someone worked for out the window. I feel awful knowing how many go through this daily.