Choosing an assisted living facility is never easy. You want to make sure that you find the best facility for your loved one but there are so many different factors you need to consider in order to make the right choice. Every assisted living facility is different in terms of the facilities they offer, so how do you decide which one is best for your loved one?
Here are a few questions you must ask yourself to narrow down your options when looking for an assisted living facility for your loved one:
What is the level of care your loved one needs?
This is the first question you need to ask yourself when considering assisted living. Not all seniors require a nursing assistant to help them 24 hours a day.
Is your loved one independent and capable of looking after themselves and carrying out their daily chores without assistance? In that case, what you may need is a nursing home that allows them to live independently, while still providing them with help when they need it.
The second scenario could be one in which your loved one is capable of performing limited everyday activities, while requiring help with some everyday chores such as cooking, bathing or dressing.
In a third scenario, your loved one may be incapable of carrying out their daily chores and need a nursing assistant to care for them 24/7.hen determining the level of care necessary, it is important to take a long term view. As a person gets older, their level of dependence is likely to keep increasing. That is something you must keep in mind.
What do the total expenses add up to?
Considering only the sticker price can be a big mistake, one that can topple your bank balance very quickly, especially since it is not covered by Medicare.
Before you put down any money, ask the facility what is included in their quoted rate. Are you expected to pay extra towards housekeeping, laundry, personal care such as bathing and grooming, medication management and meal delivery or is it covered in the price quoted?
The additional expenses may seem small in the beginning, but they could add up to hundreds of dollars over the years. Take time to find out what the total expenses will add up to so you can make a more informed decision about whether or not it is an affordable option.
What are the terms and conditions of the Admission Agreement?
Take your time and go through the admission agreement. Don’t skip through it. You will find several important conditions buried in the fine print. Mark it out and get clarifications if required. Only sign it after you have read through it thoroughly and you agree with the terms mentioned within. If you are unsure or not satisfied with a certain condition, it is worth consulting a legal expert to safeguard your rights and the rights of your loved one who will be a resident of the facility.
Is the Assisted Living facility conveniently located?
While this may not be a primary factor when choosing a facility, it does help if it is reasonably close by so it is easy for you and for other family and friends to visit. Meeting up with family and friends can bring a lot of joy and happiness to seniors living in an assisted facility.
Are there proper security arrangements in place?
Most facilities have solid security arrangements in place but it does not hurt to ask and get the details of what kind of security arrangements are put in place, and how it works. Knowing that the facility has proper security arrangements will give you much-needed peace of mind.
