When faced with assisted living care, for some it can be a blessing and for others It will be a fight. Assisted living is different than a senior retirement community. Do not confuse assisted living with nursing home care. Assisted living care does not include on site medical care. If that option is needed, health care must be provided from outside the assisted living care facility. Some senior retirement communities do have assisted living options and others do not.
One of the first things you should do is assess your situation or whomever it is that will be receiving the assisted living care. What will the short term and long term needs be? Is there adequate storage in the unit? Can I move into another unit later? How many floor plans does the assisted living care facility have? Will my unit be upstairs or down stairs? Take a tour of the different homes and or floor plans available. Get a feel for the place you may be living. You want to feel comfortable in your new surroundings.
Start looking at a assisted living care facility close to family and friends. You want to be close to family and friends because that will help you feel connected. Find out about the meal service. Will you be provided with special dietary foods if necessary? What if I have special dietary needs because of my religion? Ask if you can join in and have a meal at the facility before you make a commitment. This is a great way to check out the food service at the assisted living care center you are considering.
This article is riddled with questions because you are going into a new life changing experience and you want all the information you can get. I’ve raised a few questions and that’s only the tip of the ice burg. Here are a few more questions to think about.
What type of recreational activities does this assisted living care center provide?
Are the activities enough to keep me occupied and interested?
Will the activities offered at the facility help me physically?
Does this assisted living care center offer transportation?
Is there public transportation nearby?
In the event of a natural disaster what is the evacuation plan?
In the unlikely event of long term relocation due to natural disaster who takes care of that and is there some kind of insurance that will cover the cost?
Is there a medical facility close by?
Is there a security guard and if so is there a guard on duty 24 hours?
How many guards are there?
Is there a gate at the entrance of the facility?
Is any of the staff trained in CPR?
Can I keep my pet?
Are the bathroom amenities set up for the elderly, such as having hand rails and pull cords.
How far away will I be from my personal doctor?
What kind of worship services are offered?
You need to think about all sorts of other questions as well. Sit down with a pad and paper and as you go through the day jot down some of your normal activities. Listing your activities may help you to choose an assisted living care center that will meet your needs.
