We all want to ensure our loved ones are safe and happy when they’re older. If you have an elderly parent or loved one that needs some assistance with activities of daily living, then senior assisted living may be the ideal solution for your family. Unfortunately, not every senior living community is created equally, so you’ll want to do your due diligence before deciding where your loved one will live out their golden years. Here are some common mistakes people make when trying to find senior assisted living communities:
Not Checking The Senior Living Community’s Qualifications And Licensing
Ensuring that the senior living community is licensed and certified by Medicare or Medicaid is a good start, but you should dig deeper. You should also check for any complaints filed against the community, as well as violations of state law and federal law. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has a database of all reported deficiencies, denials, terminations, surrenders, and other actions taken against communities in your area. If you’ve ever tried to find this information, you probably still need to! —you know how laborious it can be to comb through all these documents individually, so if there’s an easier way.
The National Senior Living Accreditation Commission (NSLAC) provides an online tool called Accreditation Checklist that allows you to search for senior living communities in your area using their website instead of having to search each state’s database separately. You’ll still need patience here because this involves going through every page until you find what you’re looking for; however, it makes things much easier than trying everything yourself from scratch!
Not Arranging A Visit Beforehand
It’s important to arrange a visit beforehand. You should note where the community is located, what amenities are available, and how much it costs.
You should also ask questions about the community’s policies and procedures. Take note of what your loved one can expect during a typical day at this type of home, including meals, activities, and socialization opportunities. If there are any other specific concerns or worries about your loved one’s ability to adjust or thrive in this environment, you should bring them up with the team members who conduct your tour so they can address them as well!
In addition to asking questions during your visit(s), you must also speak with current residents—or even better yet, former residents—of any communities that interest you so they can give an honest account of their experiences. This way, there won’t be any surprises after moving day!
Failing To Check If The Community Allows Pets And How They’ll Be Cared For
If your loved one has a pet and is planning on moving into an assisted living community, make sure they know they can bring it. Ask about their pet policy and how pets will be cared for. Some communities require a resident to pay an additional fee to have their pet at the gathering. Other communities may have a limit on the number of pets allowed per unit or even restrict certain breeds or sizes of dogs.
Conclusion
Finding the right senior living for your loved one can be daunting. There are many things to consider and mistakes to avoid, but don’t worry; with a bit of preparation and knowledge of what to look out for, you’ll have no problems finding the best assisted living community for your mom, dad, or even grandparent.
