If you’re like many older adults comparing your senior living options, staying in your home may feel like the most familiar path. But as your lifestyle shifts — and the costs of upkeep, maintenance, and support add up — it’s worth asking whether updating your current home is the smartest investment.
If you’re weighing the difference between renovating where you live now or choosing a community already designed to support you today and well into the future, the comparison below can help clarify what’s truly included.
Modifying Your Home
A home that once met your every need could easily become hazardous to your health and safety. Falls are the number one cause of serious injury among older adults, so reducing trip hazards and adding safety features should be a top priority. If your mobility needs change, you’ll also want to make your home easier to navigate. To safely age in place, here are some changes to consider:
- Grab bars: Install grab bars or railings in high-risk areas like bathrooms and bedrooms to provide support and prevent slips and falls.
- Bathroom changes: Bathrooms contain hard, unforgiving surfaces, and even lifting your foot slightly can affect balance. Consider installing a walk-in shower to reduce fall risk.
- Outdoor ramp: Ramps aren’t just for wheelchair access. They eliminate the need to navigate steps, which can challenge balance even with a banister.
- Add smart home technology: Devices like medical alert systems, home security, remote monitoring, and communication tools are helpful. You may also consider smart controls for lighting, entertainment, and blinds.
- Replace faucets: Touchless faucets are ideal for those with arthritis or grip issues. Replace twist handles with levers.
- Update flooring: Carpet should be firmly attached and no more than half-inch thick. Rugs pose major tripping hazards. Use non-slip tile in bathrooms.
- Improve lighting: Better lighting can include nightlights in hallways and bathrooms, table or floor lamps for seating areas, and adhesive under-cabinet lights for kitchen counters.
- Replace doorknobs: Swap round knobs for lever-style handles. Consider similar replacements for kitchen cabinets.
Value of Life Care Communities
Here’s how moving into independent living at a Life Plan Community like Santa Marta can provide hidden value while making life easier and more enjoyable:
- Designed just for you: Senior communities are created to help you safely age in place and already include most, if not all, of the modifications listed above.
- Eat healthier: Enjoy chef-prepared meals that accommodate your dietary needs without sacrificing flavor.
- All-inclusive: Our monthly fee covers indoor and outdoor maintenance, all utilities except landline phones and the internet, property taxes, dining program, and all services and amenities.
- Maintenance-free living: No more waiting for service calls. Our talented team handles repairs and maintenance.
- Calendar of activities: Take fitness, wellness, or art classes, attend guest presentations, or socialize with neighbors — as much or as little as you choose.
- Friendly neighbors: Being part of a supportive, tight-knit community improves health and happiness. Everyone ages — why not do it surrounded by people who want to enjoy life to the fullest?
- Peace of mind: Santa Marta provides a full continuum of care including assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation, if ever needed.
Compare Monthly Costs
When comparing the cost of staying in your current home to senior living costs in Kansas, be sure to consider all your monthly expenses, which may include:
- Rent or mortgage
- Property taxes and insurance
- Homeowners association fees
- Cable, internet, and utilities
- House cleaning services
- Home maintenance and repairs
- Transportation (upkeep, insurance, gas, etc.)
As a homeowner, you also have to plan for unexpected expenses like appliance replacement, sewer line repairs, or roof damage. At a Life Plan Community, monthly costs are more predictable and manageable, eliminating surprise expenses.
Life Care Adds Predictability to an Unpredictable World
Life Care is a community contract option that accounts for the cost of future higher levels of care. All Life Care communities are Life Plan Communities, but not all Life Plan Communities offer Life Care. As a Life Plan Community offering Life Care, Santa Marta provides higher levels of care at a predictable monthly rate. Plus, our entrance fee is highly refundable to you or your estate.
While no one has a reliable crystal ball for the future, planning ahead provides more financial control. You’ll know your monthly expenses in advance, and if you or your spouse ever needs a higher level of care Life Care provides additional savings because your monthly cost remains about the same — with the only additional expense being the cost of extra meals.
Compare Santa Marta to Stay in Your Current Home
If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of our purpose-built community or Life Care at Santa Marta — the boutique Life Plan Community with a big heart — contact one of our senior living counselors today.
