Senior living
Senior Living for Couples: What to Know
Many couples want to stay together when they move. Needs often differ, so it helps to know the choices before you tour.
Common ways couples live together
- Both in independent living, with services added as needed
- Both in assisted living, sharing an apartment
- One partner in assisted living or memory care and the other in independent living on the same campus
- A community with several care levels, so a move does not mean separation
Questions to ask
- Can two people share one apartment, and how is the fee set?
- What happens if one partner needs more care later?
- Are the care levels on the same campus, and how far apart are they?
- Can we share meals and activities if we live in different areas?
- What happens to the fees if one partner passes away or moves?
Things to plan for
Care needs change, so ask how the community reassesses each person and how the cost changes. Read the contract with care and consider asking an elder law attorney to review it.
Next step
Visit more than once, ask for the fee list in writing, and talk with both partners about what matters most. An advisor can shortlist communities that fit a couple.
General information only, not financial, legal or insurance advice. Rules, prices and benefits vary by state and by policy. A licensed professional can explain what applies to you.