When seniors need help with daily tasks, they may turn to family and friends or hire someone to assist them. However, they may also consider assisted living. Moving to a community will ensure they have help when needed.
Once this decision has been made, the person need to find assisted living places that fit their lifestyle and offer the necessary services. How should they go about this process? What should they look for when comparing options?
Begin the Search Early
Seniors and their loved ones shouldn’t wait until assisted living becomes necessary. They should start the search early to learn what is available. Doing so will increase the odds of the seniors finding a community they love that perfectly fits them. Social media platforms and online forums are excellent places to begin this search and narrow available options.
Loved One’s Preferences
Every family should consider seniors’ preferences to determine which communities fit their lifestyles. Two factors to consider are location and size. Seniors often want to remain in their communities but may wish to move closer to family members. The size of the community is also important. Many communities have approximately 40 beds, but some have only a few beds, and others can accommodate 100 residents or more. When looking at communities, consider the staff-to-resident ratio.
Care Needs
When choosing communities, families must consider the senior’s current healthcare needs and potential future needs. For example, a family might focus on continuing care communities. If the seniors’ care needs change, they won’t need to leave the community; they can move to a new unit to better provide the required care.
Finances
Families must determine how to pay for the senior’s care. This budget helps families decide which communities fall within their price range and which must be eliminated. A community might offer private accommodations and shared rooms to help more people afford to benefit from the community and its amenities. Most residents pay for this care independently. However, other resources may be used for long-term care, including insurance and veteran’s benefits. Talk with various communities to learn about payment options.
Many families ask about monthly fees but ignore other important questions. For example, the family should ask about financial obligations if the senior is hospitalized or must relocate to a different community because their care needs change. They should also learn whether a deposit or an initiation fee is required and whether these fees are refundable.
Visit Communities
The seniors and their family members should visit multiple communities. When doing so, they should ask to see state safety records. Consider other options if the community refuses to provide them or has numerous violations. Every facility should be licensed. Ask about guests, visitors, pets, and other important factors to the seniors.
During these visits, ensure each community is clean and odor-free. Safety features should be present, and residents should seem active and engaged. Pay attention to staff-resident interactions. Plan these visits at different times throughout the day, and at least one visit should be unplanned, so family members can see how the staff reacts when they don’t have advance notice.
Families may have additional questions regarding activities, specialized therapies, and spiritual offerings. Learn about nearby healthcare options and transportation services for residents. Finally, ask about emergency protocols. Families have thousands of communities to choose from; one will surely be right for their loved one’s needs. With due diligence, every family will find that community.