Rent increase. Is there anything I can do?

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Rent increase. Is there anything I can do?

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The place my aunt is staying sent a letter in October that they want to increase her rent effective 1/1/22. She's only been a resident for 6 months. The letter says bc of top care, excellent food, hiring of people, the economy and the pandemic.
I understand she is in independent living but she's been in her room for 15+days of returning from the hospital and being more dependent on oxygen, (waiting on a portable tank), nobody (administration) visited her, the food comes from a can of tuna, chicken and a box of potato chips. Nothing nutritional for these residents. I disagree with the increase. Anything I can do?

Independent Living Community Living Independently Paying for Care

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Independent living doesn't offer the kind of care you are expecting for your aunt.

If she can't get to the dining room to eat she needs additional care.

I recommend getting a needs assessment done and get her into a facility that meets her care requirements.

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You can move her to a different place, that's about it. But realize that all Independent Living residences will likely 'not visit her' and will raise the rent at the beginning of a new calendar year. Read the lease & see what it says, which is likely that the management retains the right to raise the rent annually. That's the way it goes in ALL of these senior living residences, unfortunately.

If your aunt is oxygen dependent and in need of more care, you may want to look into moving her to Assisted Living instead of IL anyway, and now might be a good time. AL will serve 3 hot meals a day in their dining room and the caregivers WILL check on her every day, help with showers, getting dressed, doling out meds and anything else she might need.

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Please contact the administration and ask them for a breakdown of the increase for costs. Also try AARP to see if they have an ombudsman that can assist.

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Rent generally increases annually. In the contract there is usually a couple on how much they can increase. My mom’s goes up 1/1/22 700.00. My dad was in a different nursing home and he had received a latter that his NH was going up $525.00 on 1/1/22, but he passed away early Nov.

If not satisfied move him to another facility, and consider that she may need a higher level of care.

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Sounds like her needs have gone past the limit of independent living anyway. So if this is just an annual increase, like many facilities do, be prepared for the next increase when they say she needs more care than independent living allows. Independent means she can pretty much manage on her own and get herself to the dining room. If she can't get to the dining area, their contract may say something about delivery of a box meal on a limited basis.

I would say it's time to step her up a level to get more care - either in this facility or find another. She may do well in a private group home type setting. A couple of elderly in a home being cared for.

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Scarecrow, first thing to do is read the lease. That's what governs. There should be a section that specifically addresses increases. If they're w/i their rights, you could try to ask for an exception, but if everyone's rent is being increased, they may not even consider making that exception.

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Is there a lease? Shouldn't be able to raise rent past that amount for it's duration under most circumstances. She shouldn't be expecting visitors in Independent Living, she is supposed to be living independently. She may need AL.

Tuna is actually very nutritious even if it's canned for what it's worth.

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All you can do is MOVE. Start looking for a better place.

You might check on Individual Homes that house several Tenants, they each have their own bedroom.

See if the place where she is will give a discount if they don't provide meals and then buy frozen lean cushion or other microwaveable meals and easy things to eat like yogurt, Applesauce, fresh fruit, Instant oatmeal, cereal, ect

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Does she have a contract for a year? Or is it up at the end of this year.
You can start looking for another place.
I am also wondering why she has not been out of her apartment for 15 days. Has this changed and she has been out? Seems like someone from management would encourage her to get out and meet people.
IF this is a mandated quarantine since she was in the hospital that is different. But they should be bringing her meals.

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Costs have gone up for staff and food. If she's on oxygen, is it time to think of assisted living, where they'll cook all of her meals (a good one would have a nutritionist) and help with getting her to the hospital in emergencies?

Rent increase. Is there anything I can do?

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