It can be difficult to find the right senior facility for your loved one.It can be hard to know where to start when choosing between senior apartment communities and skilled nursing facilities.You can find a place where your loved one will be happy, healthy, and safe if you check over a facility thoroughly online and in person.
Step 1: Help with cooking and cleaning when you choose independent living.
Independent living is a great choice for seniors who can still take care of themselves, but would like the convenience of someone else doing their cooking and cleaning.Residents at an independent living facility don't have anyone checking in on them or providing nursing care, so they live in private apartments or condominiums.This is a good choice for seniors looking for friends and a social network because residents will have access to common areas where they can socialize.If residents want to cook, some independent living communities may provide kitchens in their apartments.Independent living can be called an active adult community, a retirement community or senior apartments.
Step 2: For help with everyday tasks, go with assisted living.
If you need help with bathing, cooking, dressing, or remembering when to take your medication, assisted living is for you.In assisted living facilities, residents will have their own private rooms or apartments with provided meals and a nursing staff member to check in on them every day.
Step 3: You can choose skilled nursing.
Someone who can no longer take care of themselves and needs the help of a nurse at all times should go to a skilled nursing facility.Residents in these homes live in separate rooms, sometimes with a roommate.Some skilled nursing facilities have a doctor on staff.These are sometimes referred to as nursing homes.
Step 4: Look at your loved one's condition to find out what kind of care they need.
Try to see where your loved one needs the most help.Are they still able to cook their own food?What are the conditions of their home?Based on their current health, decide what is the most helpful living situation for them.Ask your loved one about their preferences as well.
Step 5: If you are not sure, have your loved one evaluated by a doctor.
It can be difficult to figure out what kind of care your loved one needs if they aren't sold on the idea of moving into a facility.Ask their physician for a recommendation.Discuss your loved one's daily schedule, needs, and recurring issues with them before they do a physical evaluation.It can give you a good idea of where to start if you follow their recommendation.
Step 6: You can check for accredited facilities through their insurance.
Search online for your loved one's insurance company once you have decided on a care level.Go to the site and search for the type of facility you are looking for.Senior health insurance can be free depending on where you live.Medicare Part A is cost-free for anyone over the age of 65 in the US.To find out if your loved one is on Medicare, go to the website.By using your insurance provider, you can make sure that the facilities you look at will be safe.
Step 7: There is a facility that is close to loved ones.
Many people look for a senior facility that is close to them.If you can, ask your loved one where they would most like to be located, which is usually near their old home or close to friends and family.You want to make sure that friends and family can come visit and check in on your loved one from time to time, and that they feel centrally-located rather than isolated in an unfamiliar area.
Step 8: If your loved one doesn't want that, look for age-in-place options.
As residents grow older and need more services, some facilities will allow your loved one to receive care where they are rather than moving to a new facility.Look at your facility's options to find out if they have a policy on this.If the facility doesn't provide age in place options, look into what physical declines could prompt a move out and if the facilities would provide assistance if necessary.
Step 9: You can check facilities licensing and inspection records online.
You will be able to see the facility on your own, but you have to make sure it is safe before you go.Depending on your location, you can find this information online by going to your state's Agency on Aging.The long-term care ombudsman is a government official that records and investigates complaints against senior facilities.You can find the long-term care ombudsman in your state by searching online.There are complaints about the treatment of residents.
Step 10: Ask your friends or family to give you recommendations.
Ask your friends or family members who have been through this for their advice and recommendations if your options are overwhelming.If they don't know of any facilities that could meet your loved one's needs, ask if they have any general tips for you on finding a good choice.
Step 11: You can schedule a tour by calling the facility.
You can schedule a tour for a prospective resident once you have narrowed down your list to 1-2 facilities.Setting up a time to come look around is standard procedure for most facilities.Ask if a staff member can answer your questions on the tour.If possible, bring a loved one with you on the tour to give you a second opinion.
Step 12: If the facility is well-maintained, look at it.
When you are on the tour, look around to see if the grounds are taken care of.Don't see anything that is rundown, broken, stained, dirty, or bad-smelling.Your loved one will be comfortable at a facility that is well taken care of.If you smell an odor in a small area, this could be an accident.An issue could be suggested by a more pervasive odor.
Step 13: Appropriate safety measures should be in place.
Safety locks on windows and doors, call buttons throughout the facility, and grab bars in the residential rooms are some of the things to look for.Emergency exit guides on the walls, smoke detectors, and overhead sprinklers are just some of the general safety measures that you should keep an eye out for.
Step 14: Discuss the facility with residents and family.
Current residents should be observed to see if they are well-groomed, happy, engaged, and social.Ask your tour guide if you can talk to a few of them and any visiting family members, and ask how they feel about the facility.Ask them how they feel about the accommodations, food, staff, and social calendar.You could say hello.We are looking around to see if this would be a good place for my mother to live.What do you think about your time here?
Step 15: If staff members seem friendly and attentive, that's a good sign.
Look for staff members who are friendly and attentive to residents.A staff that is too thin will not be able to give your loved one the personalized care they need.
Step 16: Double check the quality after the tour.
Ask your guide at the end of the tour if it's okay for you to visit again.Stop by at different times during the day, such as at meal times or at night, and on the weekends when there might be less staff on duty.This will allow you to confirm your opinion on the facility and see how it looks without a guide.
Step 17: How will you be billed for services?
Discuss the billing policy with a staff member or financial facility manager.Medicare or Medicaid are payment programs that they participate in.
Step 18: Look at their long-term care options.
As your loved one ages, ask the facility what kind of medical services they provide on-site.If you want your loved one to make fewer trips to the emergency room in case of illness or injury, a facility with a physician or a registered nurse on-site is usually preferable.You should check to see if they can provide long-term services for your loved one.
Step 19: Take a look at how much your loved one can modify their room.
If your loved one is in an independent or assisted living facility, they may want to bring their own furniture and decorations to their apartment.They may want to do their own cooking or bring a pet with them.If this is important to your loved one, make sure to ask how much they can personalize their room.If there are any banned activities in private rooms or apartments, you should see it.
Step 20: Ask if they can come and go as they please.
Your loved one might want to have their own outings if they are more mobile.Can they come and go as you please, or will you need to schedule your visit in advance?What kind of social outings can your loved one take through the facility, such as a play or a movie?
Step 21: Inquire into the background of the staff.
If you want to make sure the staff are well-trained and experienced, ask what their hiring requirements are.How much experience most staff members have and how many are available to residents at any given time should be asked.
Step 22: See if circumstances would cause a move out.
Ask if the facility will require your loved one to move out if they can't make payments or if their level of care is too high.If your loved one needs to move out, you should ask how long a notice will be given and who makes the discharge decision.If your loved one has to stay in a hospital for a long period of time, ask if their room will be held for them.
Step 23: Do you know how many rooms are empty?
It could be a sign that residents are not happy with the conditions at the facility.This could be a sign that the facility is in financial trouble.
Step 24: To review costs and other requirements, ask to see a contract.
Before you make a decision on a facility, ask to see a copy of the admission agreement.An elder-law attorney can review the contract with you to make sure you are on board.The cost of service is something to look for.Some facilities charge one fee for the room, board, and care, while others might charge more for higher levels of care.The responsible party is not known.If you sign for a loved one, make sure you are identified in the contract as their agent with power of attorney, not the responsible party, which would require you to pay for their stay.There are certain conditions that would require a move out.Make sure the contract is specific, keeping an eye out for subjective phrases like "When we can no longer meet your needs."If you have a disagreement with the facility, you are not allowed to take them to court.