Did you know that approximately 7 out of 10 Americans will need some form of long-term care, like assisted living, during their lifetime?
It can be challenging to know where to begin if you’re facing these changes with an elderly parent or a loved one. There are many assisted living communities out there, and the last thing you want to do is choose the wrong one. Learning about the most common assisted living search errors is the best place to start.
Keep reading this guide to learn about four common assisted living search errors and how you can avoid them.
1. Not Doing Enough Research
When looking at assisted living community options, it’s essential to dig deep.
Start by making a list of your top five choices. Read the online reviews to see what people say about the quality of care their family members receive.
Next, visit each facility to get an overall feel of how the staff interacts with the residents. Be sure to make a list of questions and take notes, like:
- What is the staff-to-resident ratio?
- What activities for seniors do you have available?
- Do you offer transportation to appointments?
- Do you provide individualized services?
- Do the residents appear happy and well cared for?
- Do community staff members enjoy interacting with the residents?
- How clean is the community overall?
Even better, find a community that offers tours and allows you to stay for dinner, like these senior living apartments. You’ll get a fantastic opportunity to observe residents and staff and sample the food.
2. Waiting Until the Last Minute
It’s common to wait until the last minute to find an assisted living community. Many people don’t want to take this step because they want to keep their loved ones at home for as long as possible.
When you wait until the last minute, you’re limited to communities with immediate vacancies. Comparing community costs and assisted living community amenities is no longer an option.
It also causes added stress for you and your loved one. So start early and allow time to reserve space at the community of your choice.
3. Choosing a Facility Based on Your Own Needs
It’s all too easy to choose a facility you prefer due to its location, appearance, or specific activities. However, your preferences may not match your parent’s preferences or tastes.
If your parent can’t come with you, have them make a list of likes and dislikes. Take videos and pictures of the facility so you can share your findings with them.
Remember, this will be your loved one’s new home. The more you involve them, the happier they’ll be long-term.
4. Not Anticipating Future Needs
Remember, your parent may only need a small amount of assistance now, but soon, they could require more care.
To avoid this, you’ll need to be realistic about their current health needs. Do they have a condition that will cause their health to decline rapidly? What types of medications do they take?
Doing this allows you to choose an assisted living community that offers more advanced levels of care when needed.
Avoid These Assisted Living Search Errors
Knowing what assisted living search errors to avoid will make the entire process go much more smoothly.
Moving your loved one into an assisted living community is a big transition for everyone involved. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time and involve family and friends.
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