| Yesterday, an old friend contacted me, asking about | | | | they charge for extra care? By levels of care? or by |
| placing his mother-in-law in an assisted living. | | | | minutes? And when you find out - figure out what |
| However, after answering him in a series of emails, I | | | | your maximum budget is, and what the most she will |
| realized that other people facing the same decision | | | | have to pay if she gets ALL their services. |
| might be interested in the same information. Here's | | | | Next, ask the facility about what would cause her to |
| the interesting thing I discovered about myself in the | | | | HAVE to move out? Ask them if they have a |
| process - my tone with him was different than if I | | | | hospice waiver. (they are in California, so their rules |
| were going to write for my blog or for an Ezine | | | | are exactly like mine and I can tell you, if they do not |
| article. As a result, so were the tips that I would | | | | have a hospice waiver, then when she gets towards |
| normally give - they were not very 'politically correct'. | | | | the end, they will kick her out to a nursing home). |
| But thinking about it, I would not change a word. | | | | Ask them about house doctors (do they have a |
| In many ways, it was much better because of my | | | | doctor that comes to the facility to see clients), and |
| mind set. I was focused on giving my friend advice | | | | are home health care agencies allowed in the building? |
| rather than writing a "well written" article. So except | | | | and if so, do they require that you use theirs or if |
| for a few deleted lines that would identify my friend, | | | | you can pick your own. I will explain why this |
| here is some good advice about picking an assisted | | | | important later. |
| living: | | | | Ask about wheelchairs. Are they allowed? What |
| Hi Donahue, How's everything? We need to catch up | | | | about motorized ones? Does mom have a dog or |
| soon. Need your input - soon - We are looking at | | | | cat? Many place will let you bring it...for a fee. It too |
| places (assisted living) for Mary's mom - she has | | | | is negotiable. |
| continuing health issues primarily heart and respiratory. | | | | The important thing to understand is how they |
| Would you look at the attachments and let me know | | | | charge between the room (and basic services) and |
| your thoughts on these two places? Thanks so | | | | care (optional services). They are much more likely to |
| much, John | | | | negotiate the room but they rarely negotiate care |
| Hey John, I will look at the attachments closer later, | | | | services. The best case scenario for you is to get |
| but let me first highlight some important stuff to | | | | them to lock in the rate for two years (or more). |
| consider: First of all, if there is a non-refundable | | | | That is where they will try to screw you later, |
| "community fee" of any kind, it is negotiable. | | | | because they can raise their rent as much as they |
| What is going to be more important than the room | | | | like. So make sure you trust the place. Anyway, think |
| layout and the view and the transportation and all the | | | | about this stuff and I will get back to you after I |
| other B.S., is how much care is going to cost. How do | | | | look at the marketing materials you sent me. |