Be Prepared For Assisted Living
1. What do we mean by assisted living?
Assisted living is simply finding help in the form of a care
giver or a family member assigned to assist an elder who with
illness or diminished mental ability is no longer capable of
living an independent life. Depending as to the circumstances
involved, an elder may also be sent to a nursing home or a
community of professionals wherein she can be well taken care of.
As an elder, know how to decide between assisted living in your
children's home or in a residential home. Ask these questions:
- Is there a spare room available for you? - Is your lifestyle
and the lifestyle of your children compatible? - Does your
children really do want you stay with them? Or are they
obligated to take you in? - Will they be able to provide you
with all the care you need? - Will my presence in their home
interfere with them providing for the needs of their own
children? - Can I be of help to my children rather than a
burden? - Do I have resources so that I can afford living in
residential care?
2. How to choose the right nursing home for you:
- Consider how much care you need. - Get referrals from friends
and relatives. - Make a list of all the referrals and visit each
one. - Make sure that the location is near the home of the
person that you have chosen and assigned to manage your dealings
when you can not. - Inspect the facilities and the grounds of
the home; make sure that it is well maintained and preserved. -
It is best to review a home without any appointment. Just drop
by and have a look at everything. - Are the residents in the
home happy, friendly and contented? - Scrutinize all the rooms,
even the ones that they don't lead you to. - Request their
latest newsletter to see what activities they have that might
interest you. - Inquire and find out how they hire their
employees and staff. - Ask for a written description of the care
that they offer and how much do they ask for all their services.
- Ask if they could let you stay for two or three nights so you
can get a feel for the place. While you are there, talk to at
least three residents and get their opinion on the place.
How to decide if you or a relative is a candidate for assisted
living can be easy. It all starts with taking a realistic and a
sensible look at your financial status. Four years from now,
will you still be able to afford assisted living? Years from
now, expenses as well as your medical needs will increase. Will
your assets cover everything? Next, carefully weigh the method
that a facility cares for their elders. Is the facility caring
and sensitive enough in addressing to your loved one's needs?
After you cover these two basics, the rest is up to you.
While determining your own care may be straightforward, you
should take additional matters into consideration when providing
care for a relative. Be certain that it is clear to them what
the facility can as well as can not do. Be sure that the
facility should help you look for other ways to provide care in
case they are unable to provide support for residents with
disorders or disabilities. Consider Section 202 housing if your
relative has low income. Put their name on the waiting list at a
facility located in your area. Will assisted living improve the
quality of life of your loved one, impart camaraderie, and
provide plenty of activities to keep them in good health?
3. What questions should you ask yourself when choosing an
assisted care facility for your loved one?
- Is the management of the facility experienced? - Are the
residents and their families happy and contented? - What is the
ratio of the staff to residents? - Does the staff express
concern to all the residents? Are they friendly and caring? - Is
there a sincere concern and reverence to the elders? - Is the
facility hygienic and comfortable? - Do they serve a well
balanced meal? Are the meals tempting and attractive? - Do they
offer health and wellness services? - What are the activities
planned for the residents? - Will your relative like their
activities? - Will your relative like and enjoy the daily life
offered in this facility as compared to other options? - Do the
services that they offer as well as the living quality of the
facility live up to your standard? - Does the facilities
standards and services worth the cost? - Is this the type of
place that children would love to pay a visit? - Is the location
accessible and convenient enough for family and friends to
visit?