There are a lot of reasons why seniors and their families decide it’s time to start the search for an assisted living facility. Maybe your mom has gradually become more isolated at home or your dad doesn’t enjoy cooking for one.
Regardless of the reason your family has begun the search for an assisted living community, moving a parent from the home they’ve lived in for years (or even decades) isn’t an easy task. From getting all your siblings on board to researching the financial side of things, there’s probably a lot on your plate, particularly if you have procrastinated doing your research.
Don’t let that rush you into making a poor decision. There are a few common mistakes families make when searching for an assisted living facility for their loved one. Those mistakes can lead to you needing to move your loved one to a different assisted living facility or seriously overpaying for senior living.
Here’s a closer look at four mistakes to avoid when searching for an assisted living facility.
Searching for a Community That Meets Their Needs Now
It’s important to be realistic about your loved one’s current care needs as well as their anticipated needs. For instance, your mom might only need some extra help with the everyday tasks of living right now, so you look for a place where she can participate in exercise classes and enjoy afternoon tea with friends.
What happens if health issues lead to her needing skilled nursing care and 24-hour supervision to keep her safe? Will you start the search over again and deal with moving from facility to facility? Ideally, you will find a community that is equipped to provide care now and in the future, as your loved ones age.
Do this instead: Look for a community that offers every stage of senior living in one location.
Believing Everything You Read in the Marketing Materials
When you visit an assisted living facility’s website or go to the community for a tour, they’ll probably share some sample menus, activity calendars, and brochures. These are a great place to start, but they don’t always tell the entire story.
Assisted living is regulated at the state level, which means it’s not always easy to find information about the licensing and background of the communities you are exploring. That’s why it’s important for you to do your homework.
Do this instead: Call state licensing to check the community’s records, complaints, and any violations, or visit their online portal to access inspections reports and other background information.
Picking a Facility with the Fanciest Amenities & Features
The move to assisted living is a big one, both physically and emotionally. The best assisted living communities have recognized that and are designed to feel like home. But fancy furniture and beautiful landscaping aren’t necessarily indicators of high-quality care.
Would you rather have your loved one live in a beautiful, modern, and upscale facility where residents are often found alone in their rooms in front of the TV or in an assisted living facility with pleasant and appealing community spaces, purpose-driving activities programs, and specially trained care partners who work together with residents, families, and physicians to provide positive, person-centered 24/7 care?
When touring a community, look past the fancy decorating and notice the little things that point to a place filled with compassionate staff. Are the plants well-cared-for? Do the staff members know and address residents by name? Are people smiling? Does it feel like home?
Do this instead: Ask “what if” questions related to things the assisted living facility might experience caring for your loved one and how they would handle that particular situation.
Only Skimming the Assisted Living Contract Before Signing
If you often click “I agree” before reading the terms and conditions, you’re not alone. But when it comes to signing an assisted living contract, it is critical that you know what you are committing to.
For example, assisted living communities charge differently for personal care and ancillary services, so it’s important to get a clear description of what is and is not included in an all-inclusive agreement or a cost breakdown for fees for each service in a fee-for-service agreement for each assisted living community you’re looking at.
Otherwise, you might be caught unprepared by fees or price increases that you would have been aware of had you reviewed the contract.
Do this instead: Ask for a blank contract and take it home so you can take your time, review it carefully, and make a list of all your questions and negotiation requests.
Throughout the journey for your parents’ new home, keep the focus on finding a residence that will keep them happy and healthy in the present and for the years to come.
For more tips on how to find the right assisted living facility for your loved one, including when you should start looking and the best way to research options to traits the best assisted living communities share and questions to ask when touring, download our eBook How to Find the Best Assisted Living Community.
