Senior Living Options Explained: Costs, Care Levels & Planning Ahead

Confused by independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, 55+ communities, and Life Plan Communities? This Senior Truth Series panel explains the differences, services, costs, lifestyle considerations, and questions to ask before choosing a senior living community. In Understanding Senior Living Options: What to Know Before You Decide, local professionals and a senior living resident share practical information to help older adults and their families understand their choices and begin planning before a decision becomes urgent. 0:00 Welcome to the Senior Truth Series 2:09 Understanding Senior Living Options 2:57 Meet the Panelists 8:46 Levels of Senior Living Explained 14:00 Independent Living Amenities and Support 18:52 Life Plan Communities and CCRC Living 21:03 Gordon’s Life Care Experience 26:34 Senior Living Costs and Entrance Fees 30:08 Signs It May Be Time to Move 33:20 Benefits of Independent Living 38:10 Why Gordon Chose Lakeview Village 41:54 Planning Before a Crisis 48:44 Medicare, Medicaid and Affordability 52:17 Audience Questions: Care and Medical Support 58:43 Closing Announcements and Upcoming Seminars You’ll learn: • The differences between independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing • What a residential care home or Home Plus community provides • How a Life Plan Community or CCRC works • The difference between rental communities and entrance-fee communities • Typical senior living costs and what may be included • Signs that it may be time to consider additional support • Why social connection and maintenance-free living matter • When to begin touring communities and joining waiting lists • Questions to ask about Medicare, Medicaid and future care • How to create a Plan B while you can still make your own decisions PANELISTS David Thompson — Sage Senior Care Advisors David and his wife, Alix, help older adults and families evaluate senior living and care options based on care needs, lifestyle, budget and location. https://www.sageadvisorskc.com/ Amy Mejia — The Welstone at Mission Crossing Amy shares the active independent-living perspective, including amenities, services, activities and maintenance-free living. https://thewelstone.seniorlivingnearm... Victoria Brown — Santa Marta Victoria explains Life Plan Communities, entrance fees, continuing care and the transition from independent living to additional care when needed. https://santamarta.org/ Gordon Johnson — Lakeview Village Resident Gordon shares his personal experience choosing a LifeCare community, making the move while he and his wife were healthy, and the difference that decision made when his wife later needed memory care. https://www.lakeviewvillage.org/ Hosted by Julie Spaulding, founder of the Senior Truth Series and a real estate professional who specializes in helping older adults plan for downsizing and future housing transitions. www.SpauldingRealEstate.com ABOUT THE SENIOR TRUTH SERIES The Senior Truth Series provides free, non-sales educational seminars for older adults, caregivers and families throughout the Kansas City area. Learn more and view upcoming seminars: https://www.seniortruthseries.com/ NEXT SEMINAR *Peaceful Transitions* Thursday, October 22, 2026 10:30 AM–12:00 PM Lenexa Old Town Activity Center 9301 Pflumm Road, Lenexa, Kansas Learn more and register: https://seniortruthseries.com/sts-eve... SPECIAL THANKS Thank you to SenCom, which provides senior-paced computer and technology learning experiences, for donating our seminar gift basket. https://www.kcsenior.net/ PLEASE NOTE The costs, availability, contract terms, Medicaid programs and eligibility information discussed in this seminar may change. Always confirm current information with the individual community and appropriate financial, legal or healthcare professionals. #SeniorLiving #AgingWell #SeniorTruthSeries