Guest Article Written by Dean Burgess

When your loved one is no longer capable of living independently, it’s time to make a call on their living arrangement. At-home care isn’t suitable for everyone, is tough to organize, and can be just as expensive as moving the senior to a care facility. Furthermore, care facilities offer several extra benefits – like socialization and access to group events and therapy.

Assisted Living or Nursing Home?

First, understand the difference between assisted living and nursing homes. Assisted living facilities are designed for seniors who don’t have severe medical conditions and are still capable of semi-independent living. Seniors live in small communities with other seniors and are free to socialize, move around, and even prepare their own food. Medical care is provided when necessary, and assistance is available for tasks like getting dressed, bathing, or going to the toilet.

Nursing homes offer round-the-clock medical care for seniors with ongoing health problems, including memory issues and incontinence. They often have dieticians who prepare special food, according to the senior’s medical needs, and have a host of medical personnel on standby. Nursing homes frequently rehabilitate people after hospitalization but are otherwise dedicated to long-term senior care.

After you’ve decided on the best option, here are the considerations to make next:

Research Nearby Facilities

Start by making a shortlist of likely facilities in your neighborhood. You can talk to friends, family, and other contacts for suggestions. A site like SeniorCare.com can assist with in-depth research. It offers a list of reputable facilities in your vicinity, detailed amenity reports, supported payment options, price ranges, and reliable reviews.

Visit the Shortlisted Facility a Couple of Times

Next, schedule a visit to a likely-looking facility. Meet with the director, head of nursing, and some staff. Walk around the facility and get a feel for the atmosphere. Look for certification and audit reports, if available. Take a look at their various amenities, rooms, and medical equipment. 

Ask Questions

Ask pertinent questions whenever possible. Talk to the staff about care routines, events, and what they do during medical emergencies. Ask about disagreeable residents and problem staff. Be on the lookout for red flags like high staff turnover rates and the inability to answer simple questions.

Evaluate the Cleanliness and Senior-friendliness

Good senior-care facilities are always spick and span – or at least display a reasonable level of cleanliness. Further, they are designed to be senior-friendly in terms of design and arrangement. Quality of life features like handicap access, elevators, safety features, comfortable furniture, accessible layout, and good lighting are great to have

Get a Feel for the Community and Overall Happiness Levels

Does the facility have a sense of community? Do the residents seem happy or unhappy? If the people stick together, laugh, and interact positively with a caring staff, it’s a nurturing environment. Social activities, events, and socialization areas are icing on the cake.

Look at Meal Options

Your senior loved one may have difficulty preparing meals. Assisted living facilities and nursing homes both offer community dining options. Some go the extra mile and offer a menu for seniors to choose from. If possible, sample the food at the dining facility, café, or restaurant. Is it nutritious and good? 

Consider the Affordability

Affordability is a key factor. Unfortunately, senior care can be expensive, thanks to the high cost of living and medical care. Medicaid will cover some assisted living costs, but not the cost of room and board. It does cover the majority of nursing home costs, however. According to the American Council on Aging, the nationwide average daily cost for shared rooms in a nursing home is $255 per day. Assisted living facilities are significantly cheaper, usually.  

Read the Contract

Don’t forget to read the fine print carefully, ElderLawAnswers advises, which covers important details like billing policies, health care, support services offered, refunds and transfer procedures, and services not covered in the overall fee. Finally, check if government support is available to help cover the costs.

In Conclusion

Finding a suitable facility can take a few weeks, so plan ahead. Make sure you include your loved one every step of the way, and always take their needs, expectations, and desires into account. Modern-day senior living facilities are generally well-equipped, maintained, and offer plenty of amenities, meaning your loved one can expect an enjoyable, wholesome lifestyle once they move in.