Somber as it may be, the time will come to look for an assisted living facility for one or both of your parents. For adult children, this is one of the most important tasks they can ever undertake. The process is arduous and time consuming and should not be delegated to someone else. If you have siblings you should involve them in the process.
Obviously, moving to an assisted living facility is dramatically different than living at home but the reality is that it can be significantly beneficial for elders in terms of quality of life. The assisted living facility offers companionship, care and entertainment activities that often times cannot be replicated at home. The social interaction alone can keep seniors sharp and fit for years.
Here are some factors to consider when looking for an elder care facility.
History: Do your due diligence on the facility. Research its background. Have there been any questionable incidents at the facility? Have they ever been sued? You can use the internet as an investigative tool but also try to talk to others who have elders at the facility. Get as many references as you can, particularly if the facility has not been around that long.
Staff: Talk to as many staff persons as possible. In all likelihood you will be interviewing the director of the facility but try to talk to staff and determine as much personnel background and competency as possible. Is the staff friendly and courteous and do they treat residents with respect? Is there staff on hand who are registered nurses and who can dispense medicines properly.
Preparedness: What is the facility’s protocol when it comes to emergencies? How are health scares or other predicaments handled and how quickly are they responded to? Is there a top-notch monitoring system in place? How extensive is video surveillance? Ask as many safety and security questions as possible. Check bathrooms for accessibility. How does staff differ at night versus during the day?
Appearance: What is your visual impression of the facility? Is it clean and fresh? What are the maintenance facilities like? Laundry? Also visit the outdoor areas as well as the indoor ones. Is every area safe and secure?
Spot Check: Arrange a visit through the staff to watch a group activity. This is a good way to gauge the dynamics of both residents and staff. It might also be a good idea to eat a meal at the facility. This is a good way to not only sample the cuisine but to talk to other seniors who are there. It is also a good way to gauge the appearance of residents in terms of personal hygiene and dress.
Cost: Be prepared for sticker shock in that quality assisted living facilities are expensive. Monthly rates range nationally in the $2,500 to $6,000 neighborhood with California leaning to the more expensive side of the scale. Check to see how many expenses are included in the monthly fees. Other cost factors include apartment size, extra levels of care and possibly a non-refundable move-in administrative fee.
Financing: Related to cost, of course, is the issue of funding. If you are in charge of monitoring your elder’s finances you will have to do the legwork on this such as checking if your elder has long term care insurance or possibly converting a life insurance policy into a long term care benefit plan or perhaps applying for a reverse mortgage. You will also have to check other assets to develop a budget for assisted living.
Miscellaneous: Check how the facility accommodates religious affiliations.
Ask about move out procedures in case your loved one is asked to move for some reason. Is there a 30-day notice? Also important: how are residents with dementia or early Alzheimer’s treated?
There are many, many issues related to finding a good assisted care facility. It is a good idea to schedule a talk to your estate planning attorney about the above aspects and related issues as well.