Assisted living offers services for those seniors who want an independent lifestyle but also need a little assistance for their individual needs. In these assisted living communities, people can enjoy their privacy and freedom and daily needs like bathing and dressing are guaranteed at the same time. There are a great amount of living communities, so it’s very difficult to choose the right one for you or your loved ones. Here are six tips to help you find a right assisted living facility.
1.Make sure assisted living is the right choice. Senior living includes many other care types such as independent living, memory care, respite care or skilled nursing care. Independent living is suitable for those seniors who are active, healthy and are able to live on their own. If you have no problem with daily tasks like cooking or cleaning, then there is no need to choose the assisted living. Memory care mainly provides services for those seniors who have Alzheimer’s or a form of dementia. In brief, understand your needs first and decide if assisted living is right for you.
2.Visit the community you are considering and ask detailed questions about services provided. Take a look at the environment and talk to residents inside. Try to ask them what they experience and how they feel. Many assisted living communities may have movie theaters, art studios or libraries. Consider what facilities and activities could make you happy. In addition to these aspects, you could also ask some questions.
- Can I have a pet and my own furniture?
- Can I have a private bath? Do we have to share an apartment?
- Can you introduce the details of all the fees, rules and regulations?
- What activities are prohibited in apartments or private rooms?
- Is staff providing services around the clock?
- Do we have any recreational activities?
- What happens if I run out of money?
3.Ask what happens if you run out of money. In general, Medicaid could help pay for assisted living for people with low income and low net worth. However, some facilities don’t accept Medicaid patients. You may have to move out of this community after your money has been run out of.
4.Locations of assisted living communities. Consider what is your preferred location. Some facilities are near doctors and hospitals, and some are convenient to enjoy shopping and entertainment. In some cases, living near your children and grandchildren seems better. You can often see you family and friends and deal with many issues with their help.
5.Ask some details about the staff members such as how many staff in this facility and what they do every day. In daily lives, they are people who have the most contact with us, therefore, their specialization and attitude is very important.
6.Costs. Ask about costs for specific services and insure that you know all the expenses. Search for local assisted living communities as much as possible and find a cost-effective facility.
Posted on May 5, 2023