Shifting to a senior living community is like moving to a new home! It is an important life event that can be emotionally challenging or overwhelming. When you have a plan, it will help you get organized and not miss any necessary details.
There are several senior living communities today! If you are searching for the best one for your loved one, here are a few things that you need to consider.
- Know the community types
The continuing care retirement communities can get referred to as small towns that offer a continuum of transitioning, housing the senior resident as required from independent living to rehabilitative care to assisted living. It is generally long-term care. There is an entrance fee, which you need to pay once along with the monthly payment. There are other facilities on a rental basis as well.
On the other hand, in assisted living communities, the residents stay in small apartments and are independent. However, they require support with medication, meals, and personal care. Assisted living doesn’t offer services like a nursing home. This community can co-ordinate medical help with external providers. However, complete medical care is the family’s accountability. Like the Green House Homes, there are also distinctive community models that blend social community and residential care in a place that is both customized and like a home. To know more, you can check out the luxury assisted senior living facilities.
- Finding the correct fit
Will your loved one get comfortable with long-term care? The floor plan, apartment size, location, décor, amenities, and dietary/dining options are a few factors you need to consider. The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) states that assisted living residents are mostly over 85+ years, and most are women. It might not be an apt place to stay for a young man or woman.
It is also essential to check the activity list! You need to check whether there are stimulating activities that encourage meaning, purpose, and associations with new people. You should also check programs that offer social support. A senior living community in the right place with standard transportation can help people stay connected with their social network. The two leading quality indicators of an organization are the resident’s council and physical fitness programs. There are a few communities that are pet-friendly with limitations of size and type.
- Budgeting
The majority of the senior living communities can categorize residents with an early stage of Alzheimer’s and mild cognitive impairment with extra care support. As the condition worsens, the person gets shifted to a specialized memory care area, which reduces the disruption at a challenging time. However, it is higher and more expensive care. For instance, if your loved one has Parkinson’s or any other degenerative diseases or Parkinson’s, investigate the amount of care that would get provided to your loved one. You should also check the extra care cost and whether there are other residents with a similar condition. You should also see if the common areas and apartments are wheelchair and disability accessible. It would be best if you also investigated the community’s disaster preparedness and the closes hospital. If you want to know more about the community, you can check the customer reviews and feedback online.
- Compare the agreements
The agreements must list out all that gets included and all that is not! It should also highlight the staff-to-resident ratio. You should find out how the staff cares for the residents when they become sick or as they age. You should also find out if you have to pay the penalty for leaving the community early. You should even know about the conditions and refunds. You need to check when the senior living community increases its cost. It is possible to negotiate a favorable timing or low-interest rate in a competitive market if your loved one has a fixed income. These are a few questions to ask assisted living facilities.
Few communities come with an “exclusionary cause” that states that people can’t stay longer for financial or behavior instability. Not every assisted living community accepts Medicaid. You need to remain aware of this situation upfront.
- Know what gets included
There are two principal costs under two separate agreements – the service or care package and the rental housing cost. The Federal Fair Housing Act applies to senior residences. You need to know all that gets added, for instance, medication management. Try and understand the hidden costs, like the laundry and extra housekeeping. You should ensure that the care package you choose can cater to your loved one’s requirements and condition. You should also check if the community provides direct care using proactive technology at emergency alerts, for instance, an advanced telemedicine connection to the local doctors and wellness tracking.
It is essential to note the red flags and customize your search accordingly! These are a few tips that will help you to search for the best senior living community.