Paying for Senior Care: What Families Need to Know
June 17, 2025
Understanding how to pay for senior care can feel overwhelming. Fieldstone Communities offer different levels of care—independent living, assisted living, and memory care—and each comes with its own costs and coverage options.
“People really do need to start thinking ahead when it comes to senior care, because when you plan ahead you have so many more options,” said Dani Butler, Community Relations Director at Fieldstone of Yakima. “And unfortunately, a lot of people underestimate their need for some kind of assistance as they get older.”
Here’s a breakdown of what to expect, and how families typically handle the financial side of senior living.
Independent living
Independent living communities are designed for seniors who are active and self-sufficient but want a maintenance-free lifestyle with access to amenities like dining, activities, and housekeeping. Since medical care is not included, this type of living is generally not covered by insurance.
How families pay: Most often, independent living is paid for privately through retirement income, pensions, savings, or proceeds from selling a home. Because it’s a lifestyle choice rather than a medical need, insurance rarely plays a role here.
Assisted living
Assisted living provides help with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, medication management, and meals. It strikes a balance between independence and support.
How families pay: Assisted living is usually paid for out-of-pocket, through savings, or with the help of long-term care insurance. Some states offer Medicaid waivers that may help with costs, but these vary and often have waiting lists.
Memory care
Memory care is specialized assisted living for residents with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. These communities are designed for safety and structured support, with trained staff on-site around the clock.
How families pay: As with assisted living, memory care is usually paid for privately or through long-term care insurance. Some families also tap into veterans’ benefits, life insurance policies, or bridge loans during the transition period.
What about Medicare and private insurance?
Though assisted living and memory care services and housing costs are not covered under Medicare, certain medical needs such as prescriptions, hospitalization, or physician visits may be covered under select supplemental plans.
And especially in Yakima, which is home to a lot of veterans, senior care may be partially covered by the Aid and Attendance benefit. Veterans and their families can reach out to the Yakima Valley Vet Center for more information.
Potential residents who have long-term care insurance should also check whether their policy covers any part of their expenses.
“There are waiting periods, every plan is different and people need to understand their policies before they go shopping,” Butler said. “There may be exclusions or waiting periods, and those can sometimes reset when you are moving between levels of care.”
As you explore senior living options, understanding the levels of care and how they’re funded is key to making informed decisions, but so is knowing the details of what funding ultimately buys.
“Because most senior living is out-of-pocket, families need to look at the whole picture. Two communities may have similar prices, but one might include dining, housekeeping, and care—while the other doesn’t,” she explained. “Knowing what’s covered helps families make smart, confident decisions.”
Fieldstone of Yakima always tries to go above and beyond to make sure residents are supported in every aspect of their daily life. Take the new Medical Director of Behavioral Health for example. He’s a nationally recognized, board-certified psychiatrist and author who has treated more than 20,000 dementia patients over his 40-year career. This partnership will ensure residents have 24/7 access to behavioral support and care for complex dementia-related behavior.
Each Fieldstone Community is unique—some offer independent and/or assisted living, others offer memory care, and some offer all three levels of care. We’re here to help you navigate your choices and understand what fits both your loved one’s needs and your budget. Contact us to learn more or take a tour.