Assisted Living Choosing the Right Community

8/13/2019 Assisted Living Choosing the Right Community

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Assisted LivingChoosing the Right Community


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Moving into an assisted living

community is a big step for

any family. Finding the right

community is an important

decision for both your loved

one and your family. The

decision you make can affect

whether your loved one issimply living . . . or living life to its

fullest.

To assist you and your family in

this process, Elderlifehas developed

a simple 3 Step Guide to

understanding, researching

and choosing an assisted living

community.

Step One:Understanding Assisted Living

What is Assisted Living?Assisted living bridges the gap between living on ones own

and living in a skilled nursing center or nursing home. The

Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) denes anassisted living community as a special combination of housing,

personalized supportive services and healthcare designed to

meet the needs both scheduled and unscheduled of those

who need help with the activities of daily living.

The philosophy of assisted living emphasizes the right of the

individual to choose the setting for care and services. Assisted

living residents share their daily activities and well-being

with a staff geared to helping them enjoy the freedom and

independence of private living.

Its a home away from home. The community strives to create

a warm and welcoming environment. When you cannot be

there, they can offering specialzed care at a place your

loved one can call home.

Choosing

the Right

Community

is Important

For Youand

Your Loved One


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As with any big decision, the key to successis education. Do your research! Assistedliving communities are as varied as thehousing market. You must rst decide thetype of setting in which your loved onewould be most comfortable. Does he or

she like a country setting, a city setting, asmall home-like environment, or possibly alarge building complex? Make sure you ndout how accessible the community is foryou and your family you will probably bevisiting often!

Here are 5 areas you should assess at everycommunity you visit:

Administration: Does the assisted living community havea written description of its services andfees? Will an admission contract beused? If so, does the admission agreementdescribe the service package (room,board, supervision, personal care,etc.) and prices? Does the communitystrive to maintain resident autonomy andindependence?

Does the assisted living communityconduct a preliminary evaluation of thetypes of services the resident needs? Arefamily members or appropriatehealth care professionals involved in thisevaluation?

Does the community create a serviceplan for each new resident? The serviceplan should include details about theservices to be provided, the frequency of

service and the period of time over whichservice will be provided. The service plan

should be updated as the residentsneeds change. Ask if you can review asample service plan.

Does the organization coordinate allhealth care services for its residents?

Does the assisted living community explainthe residents rights and responsibilities?Ask to see a copy of the rights andresponsibilities information.

Does this feel like a reputable, professionalcommunity?

Does the care and comfort of theresidents seem to be a priority?

Environment: Is the community well maintained and

does it have acceptable security?

Are there a variety of common areas?

Are the individual apartments or suitesspacious?

If the residents needs change, will he or

she be able to remain at the community?

Is there 24-hour staff or assistanceavailable if needed?

Experience: Do the residents and staff seem happy

and how are the interactions between thetwo?

Are there activities, programs, religiousservices, social events or otheropportunities for interaction?

Nutrition: How is the overall dining experience?

Is the menu varied?

Do residents have choices?

Does the community serve breakfast,lunch and dinner?

Do the residents dine together in a diningroom, or can they choose to eat in theirsuites?

Are diets supervised by a dietician?

Are special dietary needs met?

Was the food good?

Are there snacks available?

Family: Is this a place where your loved one

would be happy?

Is there a newsletter, or website, or someform of regular communication betweenthe community, the residents and thefamilies?

Is it in a convenient location, withconvenient parking and visiting areas forfamilies?

Step Two: Research - Know What To Look For


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Step Three: Visit, Compare, Decide

Use the checklist on the next few pages of this resource guideto assess each community you visit. This will help you comparecommunities and enable you to make the right choice for yourloved one and your family.

Elderlife has Advisors on call, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to8:00 pm Eastern time, to assist you with nancing and choosingan assisted living community. Call us at1-888-228-4500 or visit ourwebsite, www.elderlifenancial.com.

For additional information on assisted living, we suggestvisiting the following web sites:

American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA) www.seniorshousing.org

National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) www.ncal.org/consumer

Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) www.alfa.org/les/public/ALFAchecklist.pdf

1054 31st Street, Suite 340

Washington, DC 20007

p.888.228.4500f. 888.228.4520

www.elderlifenancial.com


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1. EnvironmentBuilding Exterior

How does the exterior of the building appear to you?

Is it inviting?

Is it well maintained?

Is there trash around?

Is the landscaping tended to?

Building Interior

As you enter the building:

What do you smell?

Is there someone to greet you? You should not be able to walk

through the building unescorted.

Are there refreshments available?

How clean is the interior?

What is the dcor? Is it inviting? Comforting?

What is the condition of the building? Is there peeling paint?

Peeling wallpaper?

Do the common areas make you feel comfortable?

Are the recreational areas neat and tidy? Are they well used?

Assisted Living Community:Assessment Form

Community Name _______________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Phone Number __________________________________________________

Contact Person _________________________________________________

2. ExperienceObserve the interactions of the staff and the residents. This will help

you to understand how your loved one will be treated.

Talk to at least two (2) residents privately to get rst-hand feedback.

Does the staff treat the residents with respect?

Does the staff encourage the residents to be independent

or do they do routine tasks for them?

How does the staff assist the residents with their activities

of daily living?

Does the staff greet residents by name?

How many smiles do you see throughout the building?

How does staff interact with other staff members?

Are the residents appropriately dressed? What are the residents doing throughout the building?

Are meaningful activities provided for the residents?

Are they engaged in activities?

3. Nutrition What is the overall dining experience like?

How appetizing does the food appear?

How does the food taste?

What is the selection of food? Are there alternate food choices?

What is the atmosphere in the dining room?

Is there assigned seating? If so, how does the staff assign

the seating?

Are meals served restaurant style? Buffet style?

What are the dining hours? Flexible? Fixed?

Would you enjoy the dining experience?

When choosing an assisted living community, be selective. Choose

a community that best suits your needs. The following guidelines will

give you an idea of what to look for and what you should expect

from an assisted living community.


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4. Family How do you feel about what you have observed?

Does the overall experience t with how your loved one lives

and interacts with people?

Are there sufcient activities to keep your loved one engaged

and active?

Is this a location you would enjoy coming back to?

5. Administration Does the assisted living community have a written description of

its services and fees?

Will an admission contract be used? If so, does the admission

agreement describe the service package (room, board,

supervision, personal care, etc.) and prices?

Does the community strive to maintain resident autonomy

and independence?

Does the assisted living community conduct a preliminary

evaluation of the types of services the resident needs?

Are family members or appropriate health care professionals

involved in this evaluation?

Does the community create a service plan for each new resident?

The service plan should include details about the services to be

provided, the frequency of service and the period of time

over which service will be provided. The service plan should

be updated as the residents needs change. Ask if you can

review a sample service plan.

Does the organization coordinate all health care services for

its residents?

Does the assisted living community explain the residents rights

and responsibilities? Ask to see a copy of the rights and

responsibilities information.

6. Overall AssessmentFor families and loved ones, touring assisted living communities

can be a bit overwhelming. Not only are you embarking on

a lifestyle change, youre learning so many new facts about

different communities in a short amount of time. To help keep one

communitys services, amenities, apartment descriptions, etc.,

distinct from another (and to avoid any confusion!), you may nd it

helpful to take notes while you tour.

Additional comments and thoughts: write down any

other important points.

1054 31st Street, Suite 340

Washington, DC 20007

p.888.228.4500

f. 888.228.4520

www.elderlifenancial.com

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Assisted Living Choosing the Right Community