Find Us Online
Building wealth is only half the job. Protecting wealth for your loved ones and yourself is equally important. Through estate planning, business planning, and asset protection, our firm will help you protect everything you love — family, friends, and favorite charities. For more information, be sure to visit our website where you will have access to our blog, events schedule, and a complimentary newsletter subscription!
Assessing Assisted Living Facilities
As a married man, I know most married men already have assisted living. For women, not so much. In the past few years, my siblings and I had to work through the hard reality that our Mom could not be cared for in her home. Watching her health decline with age was a challenge for her and for us all.
If your parent faces a dramatic decline in the ability to self-care and needs support in daily living but is otherwise able to live independently, then assisted living may be suitable. This stage can be challenging when you cannot provide the support they need. In these instances, an assisted living community may be a suitable option. These communities provide residents with a comfortable lifestyle, the needed help, and increased social opportunities. Not all facilities offer the same level of care. Therefore, research is essential to select the best option for your loved ones.
Gathering Information Objectively
Choosing an assisted living community should be done with care. For some, the cost is an essential factor. Some individuals are willing to pay for a luxury residence with every imaginable amenity. Others prefer basic living environments with dining, social activities, and transportation provided. Learning what each community offers can help you when comparison shopping.
This sifting and evaluating process can be overwhelming. You may want to consult a geriatric counselor familiar with the local choices available to save time and gain valuable insights.
Who Regulates the Assisted Living Facility? A host of federal and state laws regulate assisted living communities. They must meet specific standards or risk losing their operating licenses. Despite these regulations, it is wise for family members to continue being involved with their loved ones after moving into an assisted living facility to ensure appropriate care is being provided.
What Questions Should You Ask?
Moving into an assisted living facility during a pandemic presents unique challenges. Onsite visits may be different, but they are important when it comes to vetting a community. Talking with staff and management will show how well the facility is run, especially during a difficult time.
If you can tour the facility, be sure to visit during mealtime. Taste the food served to the residents. Breathe in the smells. If the facility reeks of urine or disinfectant, these are warning signs. Watch how the staff treats the residents. Are they kind and caring? Listen to the sounds. Are there loud beepers, buzzers and announcements?
- Ask for a copy of the contract and fee schedules. You will want to review these contracts carefully. If they refuse to share a contract with you, find another facility.
- What are the costs? Are any costs covered by Medicaid or Medicare? If you are purchasing an apartment within the community, what happens when you leave? Do your heirs get any of the purchase price back? Who handles the sale of the apartment?
- What is the ratio of staff to residents? Do they run employee background checks and drug testing, when hiring and randomly thereafter? Are there training manuals and is on-going training conducted?
- How is the facility prepared for medical emergencies? Is there a nurse onsite at all times and is a doctor on call? How far is the nearest hospital?
- What is the “culture” of the community? Do residents have freedom of choice, or does the activities schedule look limited? Request copies of activity schedules or a newsletter.
- Talk to residents and their family members for candid “insider” information from those already part of the community.
Planning for the Future
When individuals move to a “continuous care community,” they are there for care as they move through various life stages. Should an illness or injury require someone to receive more ongoing medical attention, the resident would merely transfer to the nursing home branch of the facility for care and rehabilitation. This alternative would save you and your loved ones from starting a search for another facility during a trying time. Like Goldilocks, you need to evaluate a variety of senior living arrangements to find one that fits just right.
If you decide to move into such a community, and a large deposit is required, consult your attorney about how to have that fund paid out at your death.
Also, it is imperative to have an estate plan in place that allows you to control your assets and make decisions without a court.
Copyright © Integrity Marketing Solutions. All Rights Reserved.
