Besides the monthly rate, some places add a cost for dispensing meds and for additional care. Also there could be a one time initial fee.
Those aren't really hidden costs; I believe they have to be disclosed up-front.
Some patients do require more man-hours of daily care than others, so it makes sense that the cost should be higher, for those who require more care. Patients are usually assessed at initial entry and then re-assessed every 6 months, to see if their care needs have changed. This is how facilities can determine what their staffing levels should be.
As a real-life example: My son lives in a facility. He has memory issues and requires a lot of medication, so for his care and safety, medication management is a big component. He needs his meals to be prepared, needs housekeeping and laundry services, etc.; but he's ambulatory, and can shower and dress himself, so he doesn't need someone to provide personal care other than to properly dispense his medications. On the other hand, his roommate is in a wheelchair and cannot shower and dress himself, so he needs a LOT of personal care assistance, every single day. Each resident is unique and has individual needs, that change over time.
All true. I wasn't told about an initial fee of 2400. Until I agree to put him in his first memory care unit. I was a little surprised.
I will ask a friend whose husband is in Memory Care here. Prayers
Loved vacationing for many years in a little town called Cambeford.
@A myALZteam Member: Yes! (Especially these days -- LOL) Actually, I love Canada!
My 4 grandparents were all French Canadian and both my parents were born there, then immigrated to the U.S. during the Depression, so I'm first-generation American and our household was bilingual. Every summer, we would visit my uncle on his dairy farm. I still love to vacation in Canada, and favorite spots include Niagara-on-the-Lake, Quebec City, Dalvay by the Sea on Prince Edward Island, Lake Louise...