Assisted Living Facilities Help Reduce Nursing Home Costs for a Senior
As seniors begin to age, they become less able to take care of themselves. Though you might question moving your elderly parent in a nursing home, you may be able to save money by opting for an assisted living facility instead.
An assisted living facility is an alternate housing solution for your aging parent who may need help with everyday activities, but doesn’t need extensive medical care.
Video: What is Assisted Living?
Services to Look For
When you’re choosing an assisted living facility, you might look for several different services depending on the specific needs of your senior loved one.
- Managing health care
- Administering medication or giving medication reminders
- Help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and eating
- Transportation
- Recreational and social activities
- Housekeeping and laundry services
- Security
Video: Consumer Consortium on Assisted Living
When is the Time for Assisted Living
There may not be a clear indication that your parent needs to be moved to an assisted living facility. Sometimes the signs show up slowly and may be missed for awhile, especially by children who want to continue seeing their youthful, energized parents.
Here are some signs that your parent may need assisted living:
- Your parent says they’re eating, but you don’t see signs of food being consumed, (e.g. no dirty dishes, food is still in the refrigerator)
- Frequent falls
- Continuing to wear the same clothes
- Inability to take medications or taking the wrong dosage
- The house and yard aren’t as kept up as they used to be
- Your parent hears strange noises at night
Help Your Elderly Parents Set up an Assisted Living Program
Put yourself in your elderly parent’s situation and think about how you would want the assisted living program set up if it were being done for you. It may be one day.
- Consider the things your parent is going to need and make sure the assisted living facility offers those services. Don’t only think about what your parent needs today, but what could be needed in the future. It’s better to anticipate future needs and confirm their availability than to move your parent unexpectedly.
- Check the distance between the facility and the residences of close family and friends. Your senior will continue to need the support of loved ones and the closer they are, the easier it will be to visit.
- You can gauge what it will be like to live in the facility by visiting frequently. Make some of your visits unannounced so you see a more normal picture of the facility, the workers, and the residents.
- Visit during meal times and take note of the quality of the food and the service. You might even taste some of the food.
- Make sure you take your senior to visit the facility. After all, it’s them who will live there, so their opinion counts the most.
- Pay attention to how the staff interacts with residents. Is it the kind of relationship you’d like to see your parent have with the staff?
Video: Consumer Consortium on Assisted Living
How Does an Assisted Living Facility Rank
Check with the Better Business Bureau to find out if there have been any complaints against the assisted living facility. You might also check with your state’s long-term care department to learn whether complaints have been lodged there. You can find your local long-term care department by visiting http://www.eldercare.gov/.
Companies Offering Assisted Living
When you’re looking for an assisted living facility, check with these associations: