| at do we mean by assisted living? | | | | How to decide if you or a relative is a candidate for |
| Assisted living is simply finding help in the form of a | | | | assisted living can be easy. It all starts with taking a |
| care giver or a family member assigned to assist an | | | | realistic and a sensible look at your financial status. |
| elder who with illness or diminished mental ability is no | | | | Four years from now, will you still be able to afford |
| longer capable of living an independent life. Depending | | | | assisted living? Years from now, expenses as well as |
| as to the circumstances involved, an elder may also | | | | your medical needs will increase. Will your assets |
| be sent to a nursing home or a community of | | | | cover everything? Next, carefully weigh the method |
| professionals wherein she can be well taken care of. | | | | that a facility cares for their elders. Is the facility |
| As an elder, know how to decide between assisted | | | | caring and sensitive enough in addressing to your |
| living in your children’s home or in a residential | | | | loved one’s needs? After you cover these |
| home. Ask these questions: | | | | two basics, the rest is up to you. |
| - Is there a spare room available for you? | | | | While determining your own care may be |
| - Is your lifestyle and the lifestyle of your children | | | | straightforward, you should take additional matters |
| compatible? | | | | into consideration when providing care for a relative. |
| - Does your children really do want you stay with | | | | Be certain that it is clear to them what the facility |
| them? Or are they obligated to take you in? | | | | can as well as can not do. Be sure that the facility |
| - Will they be able to provide you with all the care | | | | should help you look for other ways to provide care |
| you need? | | | | in case they are unable to provide support for |
| - Will my presence in their home interfere with them | | | | residents with disorders or disabilities. Consider |
| providing for the needs of their own children? | | | | Section 202 housing if your relative has low income. |
| - Can I be of help to my children rather than a | | | | Put their name on the waiting list at a facility located |
| burden? | | | | in your area. Will assisted living improve the quality of |
| - Do I have resources so that I can afford living in | | | | life of your loved one, impart camaraderie, and |
| residential care? | | | | provide plenty of activities to keep them in good |
| 2. How to choose the right nursing home for you: | | | | health? |
| - Consider how much care you need. | | | | 3. What questions should you ask yourself when |
| - Get referrals from friends and relatives. | | | | choosing an assisted care facility for your loved one? |
| - Make a list of all the referrals and visit each one. | | | | - Is the management of the facility experienced? |
| - Make sure that the location is near the home of the | | | | - Are the residents and their families happy and |
| person that you have chosen and assigned to | | | | contented? |
| manage your dealings when you can not. | | | | - What is the ratio of the staff to residents? |
| - Inspect the facilities and the grounds of the home; | | | | - Does the staff express concern to all the |
| make sure that it is well maintained and preserved. | | | | residents? Are they friendly and caring? |
| - It is best to review a home without any | | | | - Is there a sincere concern and reverence to the |
| appointment. Just drop by and have a look at | | | | elders? |
| everything. | | | | - Is the facility hygienic and comfortable? |
| - Are the residents in the home happy, friendly and | | | | - Do they serve a well balanced meal? Are the meals |
| contented? | | | | tempting and attractive? |
| - Scrutinize all the rooms, even the ones that they | | | | - Do they offer health and wellness services? |
| don’t lead you to. | | | | - What are the activities planned for the residents? |
| - Request their latest newsletter to see what | | | | - Will your relative like their activities? |
| activities they have that might interest you. | | | | - Will your relative like and enjoy the daily life offered |
| - Inquire and find out how they hire their employees | | | | in this facility as compared to other options? |
| and staff. | | | | - Do the services that they offer as well as the living |
| - Ask for a written description of the care that they | | | | quality of the facility live up to your standard? |
| offer and how much do they ask for all their | | | | - Does the facilities standards and services worth the |
| services. | | | | cost? |
| - Ask if they could let you stay for two or three | | | | - Is this the type of place that children would love to |
| nights so you can get a feel for the place. While you | | | | pay a visit? |
| are there, talk to at least three residents and get | | | | - Is the location accessible and convenient enough for |
| their opinion on the place. | | | | family and friends to visit? |