Older Americans often need help with daily tasks. They may be frail, struggle with obesity, or have mobility issues that prevent them from completing these tasks. Assisted living communities are ideal for these men and women, as they provide a home-like setting rather than the clinical feel of a nursing home.
Finding the Right Community
However, finding an assisted living community that meets the individual’s needs can be challenging. While all communities provide assistance for daily living tasks, they vary in many ways. Furthermore, the cost of a residence in these communities is high, and it is not covered by medical insurance or Medicare, although Medicaid may help those who qualify.
Quality of Care
Quality of care is another concern when searching for a senior living community. Caregiving shortfalls remain common, as reported by state long-term-care ombudsmen. Families must ask questions and conduct research before deciding which community best meets their loved one’s needs. Understaffing and delayed responses to calls for help are common complaints, and those complaints are becoming more prevalent even as the need for long-term care increases.
Sadly, the focus is often on amenities and activities rather than the quality of care. Families must remember this when visiting communities to ensure care is prioritized rather than the extras.
Questions to Ask When Choosing a Community
Families need to consider several questions when choosing a community. The most important thing is to determine the level of care the loved one needs, and their medical team can help with this. They can assist families in deciding whether the selected community can provide the necessary care. Furthermore, based on what they have seen, the medical team can make predictions about what the future might hold and the care the senior might need in the future.
Quality of Care
Ask each community to provide its licensing and inspection records. If a community refuses, walk out immediately. The state Area Agency on Aging can also provide this information online. Learn whether a registered nurse is part of the community staff, as having a nurse on-site lowers the number of ER visits required by residents. Visit the community multiple times to understand better how it operates and the residents’ quality of life.
Care Costs
Many communities offer a price and then add additional fees to that cost. Require a written list of all fees from each community under consideration and review these documents carefully.
Some communities charge a set fee, but others use a point or a la carte system that can drive costs up. Many families hire an elder law attorney to review the contract so they can ensure everything is as it should be.
Advocacy
Family members must regularly visit the seniors in the community to ensure they receive the proper care. If family members do not live nearby, a friend may take on this task, or the family might hire a caregiver to check on the seniors. Regular visits help families identify any lapses in care so they can be addressed before the senior is harmed. Seniors in memory care communities need this advocate more than anyone because they can become confused and unable to speak up for themselves.
The right senior living arrangement is out there. It’s a matter of finding one that works for the loved one. Begin this process early to ensure ample time to research and visit communities. Families that do so find their loved ones are happy because the new living arrangement improves their quality of life.
