| One of the most difficult elder issues involves where | | | | unmaintained, etc. Ask some of the neighbors what |
| and how to get assistance for living activities as we | | | | they can tell you about the home. Look around the |
| begin being unable to care for all our needs personally. | | | | neighborhood to see how it feels. Walk into the |
| Sadly, the issue is so hard that many of the elderly | | | | building as a stranger, to see if anyone challenges you |
| don't deal with it until they have little or no choice. | | | | and to see if there are any care issues you can spot |
| Like any other major life issue, if you plan for living | | | | when they didn't know you were coming. Make |
| assistance in advance, the transition is much easier | | | | notes! Now, you're ready for the first appointment. |
| when the time comes. Even more sadly, money is | | | | Caregiver appointment: The larger ones will probably |
| often the only criteria many use for choosing an | | | | feed you with the residents, show you the activity |
| assisted living facility. Whether you have money, | | | | areas, give you a copy of their calendar and |
| carefully planned, are making the choices for yourself | | | | introduce you to the residents they know will tell you |
| or not, this article should help you choose the right | | | | positive things. Ask to go where they're not taking |
| care, in the right location, with the right quality of | | | | you...the kitchen, the dispensary, etc. Stop and talk to |
| care, with the right reputation, at the right price to | | | | the residents who are frowning. Get permission to |
| meet the increasing needs of you or a loved one. | | | | interview other residents and family members when |
| Type Of Elder Care: Caring for the elderly is about | | | | you're not under escort. Find out the legal name of |
| meeting the current needs and providing for future | | | | the person or company that owns the facility. Get |
| needs. While a nursing home is for advanced needs | | | | the standard pricing range. If you have a few assets, |
| or to recover from injury or surgery, assisted living is | | | | and a retirement income, money should not be an |
| the focus of this article. This is where some of the | | | | important issue. If you are required to find care on |
| activities of daily life (cooking, cleaning, dressing, etc.) | | | | the Medicaid budget, you can ask at this appointment |
| have become too difficult to perform but you're not | | | | if they can provide care under those terms. Tell them |
| in need of round the clock professional nursing. Living | | | | you're going to be investigating them and ask if |
| facilities range from Independent apartments to | | | | there's anything they'd like to share about incidents |
| lock-in Alzheimer and Dementia care. If you're still able | | | | your investigation is likely to reveal. Make notes! |
| to come and go, cook, etc. but want other Seniors | | | | After The Appointment: Schedule interviews with a |
| to socialize with, there are apartments that include | | | | few tenants at random. Research the facility and it's |
| maid service, cafeteria and recreation. Probably, the | | | | owners at the state licensing board, county |
| most common assisted living arrangements include | | | | courthouse and on the internet...make notes! Those |
| meals, cleaning, dressing, medicine dispensing and | | | | homes that seem to have a lot of negative stuff |
| monitoring as part of the standard package. | | | | you can write off. leaving, hopefully, 3-4 candidates |
| Residential Senior Housing Location: After you | | | | to finish the process with. |
| determine the type of care you'll need, the next | | | | Evaluation Appointment: The final step in the selection |
| most important thing is the location. If you will live | | | | process is where the staff nurse evaluates the |
| near a city with a hospital, there are usually a large | | | | potential resident to determine the level of care they |
| variety of Senior homes to choose from. They will | | | | need and if the facility can satisfy that need. After |
| range from private homes with 4-6 rooms for | | | | this step, you'll get the final picture on the availability |
| residents to multi-level care facilities with hundreds of | | | | of rooms and the price for care. Again, if there are a |
| rooms and staff members. The most important thing | | | | few assets and a retirement income, money should |
| when choosing a location is to be close to the person | | | | not be the deciding factor in care choices. It is foolish |
| who is supervising the care (usually a younger family | | | | in the extreme to scrimp on care just to leave |
| member). It has to be convenient enough for | | | | money to your heirs. If they love you, your care is |
| frequent visits at all times of day and night. Certainly | | | | the most important...not your money. |
| within a 30 minute drive from home or work. Once | | | | I know it's hard work going through this...almost as |
| you know the area you're looking for, search the | | | | hard as buying a home and just as important. |
| yellow pages, the internet, the newspaper, ask | | | | Hopefully, you now have a few new ideas and tools |
| friends and neighbors, even drive the streets building | | | | to make the process a little less difficult. One final |
| a list of potential senior homes. Then, don't call for an | | | | note. It's very difficult and painful for someone who |
| appointment...that's what they expect. | | | | has been independent for so many years to start |
| Before Contacting The Providers: Before you contact | | | | depending on the care of others. Expect to |
| anyone for a scheduled tour, you need to do your | | | | experience severe grief, even depression during the |
| own inspection. Drive around the building or walk | | | | transition. Sometimes, knowing these feelings are |
| around, looking for things that are sloppy, | | | | normal can help you adjust. |