Process

Selecting a senior living community or adult assisted living care home is a "process" and it's best if you can take your time to go through the steps to arrive at your decision. Emergencies happen, but it's always beneficial to do the research so you don't have to move during a crisis or have to move a second time. Take time to go through process because finding the best fit for your family is worth it!

During our initial meeting, I want to learn as much as I can about your situation to determine what is most important to you in selecting the best senior living option to suit your needs. Your main consideration may be the type and level of care, but other factors like the size of the room, dining style, pet friendly atmosphere, social activities, etc. should be considered. My job is to drill down and discover what is going to make you most comfortable when selecting your new environment. I want you to have peace of mind knowing that you or your family member is safe and well taken care of in their new home.

There are many factors to consider when making a decision. It is most helpful if you disclose as much information as you can about your current situation. Not every community will be appropriate, and we need to narrow down your selection based on your criteria. My hope is that you find a place that you love and that satisfies most of the items on your list. Remember, no community is perfect, but you will know when you find the right one.

I will ask you to discuss the following:

Location, Location, Location! You most likely want to be close to family, a hospital and doctors' offices.
Dining Options and Food Choices - Good nutrition is good medicine and appealing, tasty meals are one of the joys of life. This is especially important if you have specific dietary concerns or limitations.
Current and Anticipated Care Needs - Level and type: Supervisory, personal and/or directed care? Assisted Living, Secured Dementia/Memory care, or Behavioral Health care? I need to know the current care needs that you're dealing with, but we have to look to the future to make sure all care needs will be met as you age in place.
Budget - What are your options? Private pay? VA Benefit and/or Long Term Care Insurance?
Style of Home - Large senior living community, smaller (usually a 10-bed) adult assisted living home, apartment or casita? Do you need a secured environment? Efficiency, studio, one-bedroom or two-bedroom?
Amenities - What features do you value in a community? Dining Room? Pool? Fitness center? Outdoor space? Library? Laundry rooms? Hair and nail salon?
Featured Services Desired - Housekeeping, laundry, transportation, recreation, excursions, exercise groups, pet friendly? Sewing, book groups, gardening, cards/poker or quilting clubs? Religious Services? Do you need a place that you are free to roam or a secured/locked environment.

After our first meeting, I will preview senior living communities or Adult Assisted Living care homes based on the information you provide. I'll select the top 2 or 3 and set up appointments for us to tour and possibly have lunch (a great way to observe the residents and get a "vibe" about the environment and social interaction).

You should feel comfortable and at ease in the surroundings.
Take a look at the people who live there.
Do they look happy and clean?
Is the staff friendly?
Is the community clean and odorless?

Feel free to ask questions of me, the person conducting the tour, staff members or the residents. Some communities will offer a meeting with the nurse if you have specific care questions. It's also a good idea to return for a complimentary meal or happy hour.

Once you've toured the communities on our list, then it's up to you to make a decision. I encourage families to go back on their own and take another look. This enables you to see what goes on if you arrive unannounced without and appointment. If your decision is to move forward, the next step is to put down a deposit to hold the apartment/room. We then set up a follow up meeting to discuss move in date, details on the move, etc.

Any move will require a TB test. (I can provide details on how and where to get that). If you're moving to Independent living you will not need doctor's orders, but if you're going to live in Assisted Living or Memory Care, you're required by state law to have signed doctor's orders from your primary care physician prior to move in. Many times the community will facilitate this process. I can also help by delivering orders (or picking up) from your doctor or hospitalist to ensure that all paperwork is complete in advance of move in.