Many households will eventually need to consider assisted living options. Even so, no one should ever rush into making the proper decision for a loved one when it comes to their retirement. We have compiled some factors we think are crucial for you to weigh in when making your choice on a quality assisted living community.
We have put together the five main factors you should thoroughly consider before deciding on an assisted living community for your aging loved one.
Community Location
Obviously, you want to be as near to your loved one as possible. This will be useful for planning transportation to family occasions and will make trips simpler. Initial research should focus on assisted living communities within a 40-minute commute. Spending nearly two hours in the car will make it difficult to plan quality visits. Do not forget about the rest of the household. How convenient would it be for relatives to come and visit your aging loved one?
Community Size
Select a retirement community that will suit your parent’s needs. You might consider whether your loved one would be happier in a smaller home with a handful of other older adults and a leaner team. You can find the best care for your loved one in a one-on-one setting where they may receive attentive, individualized attention. Check out the assisted living community and see whether you like the services and amenities they have to offer.
Community Services
For both you and your loved one, there may be some services provided by an assisted living community that will be invaluable as they make the move. Find a community that makes resident service a top priority. You may be on the lookout for a place to live that, in addition to a friendly and helpful team, also provides:
- Weekend and holiday transportation for religious services
- Getting to and from medical checkups
- Registered nurses who have completed their training in full
- Allowing people to have year-round access to physical therapists and enjoyable senior activities
- Therapy sessions to help your family members relax
- Financial aid for bill payments
Inquire further into the process of moving your loved one to a higher level of care if and when it becomes necessary. Choose a retirement community that offers multi-lifestyle options in case your loved one ever needs greater care.
Community Fees
Congrats if you are in a position where finances are not a concern. Although, for most people, this is not the case. The majority of carers will have to find out how to fund assisted living on their own. Of course, the adage that “you get what you pay for” applies to almost everything in this life.
Opt for the greatest assisted living option you can afford. It is not easy to place a price on your parent’s happiness and health, but you can rest assured that you are doing everything in your power to ensure it. The cost of an assisted living program may be justified by the variety of services it offers to care for your elderly loved one.
