| Moving into an assisted living home is a big life | | | | provide yourself with any furniture you’d like. |
| change. Anyone making this move is sure to feel | | | | Visit the room in advance. Stop by the apartment |
| uneasy and have many questions. The first step is to | | | | you’ll be moving into and take a look around, |
| make sure you are fully informed about assisted living | | | | what is provided, what will you need, take some |
| facilities so you can make the right choice for you or | | | | measurements so you’ll know what fits and |
| your loved one. | | | | what doesn’t. |
| Here is a list of 10 things you should know or ask | | | | 7. Location, Location, Location! Make sure you are |
| yourself before picking an assisted living facility: | | | | picking a location you are happy with. Think about |
| 1. Is Assisted Living Right For Me? This is the first, | | | | what’s most important to you to have near |
| and most important, question you should be asking | | | | by. Some may want to visit somewhere new and |
| yourself. However chances are, if you’re | | | | enjoy a new and exciting atmosphere. For example, |
| asking yourself this, the answer is yes. Assisted living | | | | assisted living in New York [ can offer you some |
| covers a wide variety of needs and can work for | | | | amazingly beautiful landscapes to enjoy, fishing, |
| just about anyone. Right now it is estimated that | | | | shopping, and the general peace and beauty of the |
| more then a million Americans live in approximately | | | | great New York outdoors! However most feel that |
| 20,000 assisted living facilities. And no two of them | | | | there is no place like home and want to have their |
| are alike. Some residents need some help cooking for | | | | family and friends near by. So if your family is in the |
| themselves, or taking daily medication. This can be a | | | | New York area you’ve really hit the jackpot! |
| concern for their family while they love and worry | | | | The best thing for you to do is check out the |
| about them, assisted living is a perfect solution for | | | | surrounding towns and cities, your family will want to |
| you both. While other residents move to a facility | | | | visit you and you want to make sure there are |
| just to enjoy the social life! | | | | places to stay near by and fun things to do together! |
| 2. Will I Be Taken Care Of? Of course! Everyone is | | | | 8. Who Foots The Bill? Unfortunately, in most cases |
| different and has different needs, so no two guests | | | | you will be. Residents and their families typically pay |
| will have the same situation. However, your specific | | | | the entire, or at least the bulk, of the assisted living |
| needs will be met. When you meet with the facility in | | | | expenses themselves. However, before you start |
| advance let them know your needs and they will | | | | paying the bills out of your own pocket don’t |
| inform you of what they can and can’t do for | | | | forget to check your health insurance long term care |
| you. Chances are your day to day needs will be no | | | | policy, some or all costs may be reimbursed. |
| problem. | | | | Regrettably, there has been very limited government |
| 3. Will It Be Fun? Yes, assisted living can and will be | | | | aid for assisted living, so you should look to our |
| FUN! Most facilities offer a wide variety of activities | | | | insurance coverage for financial assistance. |
| to fit the personal preference of all their guests. | | | | 9. Emotional Transition Although chances are you will |
| Everything from movies, fishing and shopping to | | | | eventually be very pleased with your decision to |
| enjoying the great outdoors and having a cocktail at | | | | move into assisted living, the initial transition will |
| the bar! There’s something for everyone to | | | | probably be a struggle for most. When you first |
| enjoy. | | | | arrive you may not know anyone, or only a few, but |
| 4. Privacy Is Key A main concern of new guests is | | | | remember that everyone there once went through |
| privacy. But not to worry, assisted living facilities pay | | | | exactly what you are going through right now. These |
| a great deal of attention to your privacy wants and | | | | people are your allies not your enemies! They can |
| needs. Unlike a nursing home, which is much less | | | | help you adjust and get a feel for your new home. |
| private, assisted living will give you all the private time | | | | You may feel compelled to stay in your room and |
| you require, whether it be to sit alone in your room | | | | keep to yourself, however getting out and making |
| and enjoy a good book or visit with your family. | | | | new friends and getting involved will make the |
| 5. What Are ADL’s And IADL’s? [ | | | | transition much smoother and is said to be the very |
| These are two abbreviations you may start to hear | | | | best way to assimilate into your new home. |
| about a lot while doing your research and visit | | | | 10. Have A Good Attitude It’s important to |
| different locations. They both refer to the kinds of | | | | stay positive and upbeat during the decision making |
| needs an individual has, and what kind of day to day | | | | and moving process, for both the individual and |
| care they will need when they move into the facility. | | | | immediate family and friends. It can be emotional to |
| ADL’s are Activities of Daily Living, such as | | | | let go of your home and some possessions |
| bathing, dressing and eating. IADL’s are | | | | you’ve enjoyed for many years, giving up |
| Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, such as paying | | | | your total independence and admitting you may need |
| bills, cleaning, and doing laundry. These activities, by | | | | a little help here or there is a tough uphill battle for |
| nature, are less time sensitive. | | | | some. But don’t focus on the things you are |
| 6. What To Pack Packing for you move is very | | | | giving up, think of all the fun you are about to have! |
| important, but what you need to bring heavily | | | | The adventure you’re embarking on! You will |
| depends on the facility you select. Some offer fully | | | | be surprised how much you’ll have in common |
| furnished rooms, where others you’ll have to | | | | with your new neighbors and friends. |