How to Choose an Assisted Living Facility

If you or a loved one are near the point where they need assistance to maintain their independence, many considerations go into choosing a health care facility.

You’ll need to consider accessibility, proximity to family and friends, and the Quality senior care offered by each option on your list.

Senior assisted living, which are known by various other names, offer a way for seniors to remain in their homes.

While some options offer full-time care, many help clients maintain independence by providing them with assistance with personal care tasks and medications.

The type and level of care offered in assisted living facilities vary widely, so you’ll need to take a close look at what’s on offer when choosing a facility to determine if it’s right for your loved one.

Here are a few things you should know about these options.

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1.) Privacy is a crucial factor.

Seniors may have a variety of concerns about their privacy, which is why the first thing you should consider when evaluating assisted living facilities is how much privacy they’ll provide your loved one.

For example, some facilities offer private rooms, while others assign seniors to space with just one other person.

You should also ask about bathroom sharing policies.

While some seniors may not have a problem sharing a bathroom with another resident, others prefer to avoid it whenever possible.

2.) Consider the costs involved.

Many assisted living facilities will help clients pay for their care by taking a percentage of their monthly Social Security checks.

However, you’ll still want to consider how much it will cost each month to live in a given facility.

The cost of living in a facility will vary widely depending on location and the care provided, which is why it’s a good idea to take a close look at the cost of each option on your list.

3.) Ask about medical services.

For some seniors who need assistance with daily living, doctors may recommend moving into a facility that can provide hands-on care.

If your loved one requires this type of care, you’ll want to choose a facility with medical staff on-site 24 hours a day.

Some facilities even have on-call doctors who are available at all times.

This is especially helpful if your loved one has cognitive issues, for example.

4.) Consider the quality of care you can expect.

One of the keys to choosing the right assisted living facility for your loved one is finding out what level of care it provides.

There are assisted living facilities that offer full-time care and others that only provide short-term assistance.

You’ll want to ask about each option so you can determine what’s best for your loved one.

5.) Think about the area in which you want to live.

While some seniors prefer to live alone, others prefer to be near a community of family and friends.

If your loved one needs assistance with everyday activities, you may want to consider a facility within proximity to your home.

Otherwise, that same location may not be as convenient for your loved one to get around on his own.

6.) Look into the reputation of the facility.

It’s essential to approach your research in an unbiased manner, which is why you may want to talk to some friends who have family members living in an assisted living facility.

You can also do some research online by reading reviews from former residents and their families.

7.) Take a tour of the facility.

A tour will give you a better idea of what your loved one’s life will be like if they choose to live in the facility in question.

Pay close attention to the number of staff members you’ll see on the floor and ask about their qualifications.

A little research goes a long way when choosing the right assisted living facility

There’s no one best option for every senior, so you’ll need to choose the right one based on your loved one’s individual needs.

By asking the right questions, you’ll be able to choose an assisted living facility that will meet your loved one’s needs and help him or her to maintain as much independence as possible.