Assessing Assisted Living Facilities

Watching the health of our parents decline with age is a challenge for them and you. Our parents may enter a stage where they require some support in daily living but are otherwise able to live independently. This stage can be especially difficult, when you are unable to provide the support they need. In these instances, an assisted living community may be a suitable option. These communities provide residents with a comfortable lifestyle, the help they need and increased social opportunities. Not all facilities provide the same level of care. Therefore, research is essential to select the best option for your loved ones.

Gathering Information Objectively

Choosing an assisted living community should be done with care. For some, the cost is an important factor. Some individuals are willing to pay for a luxury residence with every imaginable amenity. Others prefer basic living environments with dining, social activities and transportation provided. Learning what each community provides can help you when comparison shopping.

Who Regulates the Assisted Living Facility?

Assisted living communities are regulated by a host of federal and state laws. They must meet certain standards or risk losing their operating licenses. Despite these regulations, it is wise for family members to continue to be involved with their loved ones after they move into an assisted living facility, to ensure that appropriate care is being provided.

What Questions Should You Ask?

Moving into an assisted living facility during a pandemic presents unique challenges. Onsite visits may be different, but they are important when it comes to vetting a community. Talking with staff and management will show how well the facility is run, especially during a difficult time.

If you can tour the facility, be sure to visit over a mealtime. Taste the food served to the residents. Breathe in the smells. If the facility reeks of urine or disinfectant, these are warning signs. Watch how the staff treats the residents. Are they kind and caring? Listen to the sounds. Are there loud beepers, buzzers and announcements?

  • Ask for a copy of the contract and fee schedules. You will want to review these contracts carefully. If they refuse to share a contract with you, find another facility.
  • What are the costs? Are any costs covered by Medicaid or Medicare? If you are purchasing an apartment within the community, what happens when you leave? Do your heirs get any of the purchase price back? Who handles the sale of the apartment?
  • What is the ratio of staff to residents? Do they run employee background checks and drug testing, when hiring and randomly thereafter? Are there training manuals and is on-going training conducted?
  • How is the facility prepared for medical emergencies? Is there a nurse onsite at all times and is a doctor on call? How far is the nearest hospital?
  • What is the “culture” of the community? Do residents have freedom of choice, or does the activities schedule look limited? Request copies of activity schedules or a newsletter.
  • Talk to residents and their family members for candid “insider” information from those already part of the community.

Planning for the Future

When individuals move to a “continuous care community,” they are there for care as they move through various life stages. Should an illness or injury require someone to receive more ongoing medical attention, the resident would merely transfer to the nursing home branch of the facility for care and rehabilitation. This alternative would save you and your loved ones from starting a search for another facility during a trying time. Like Goldilocks, you need to evaluate a variety of senior living arrangements to find one that fits just right.

© 2020 Integrity Marketing Solutions. All Rights Reserved.