Things to Consider Before Moving

Once you have decided to take up assisted living, your first consideration should be geographic location. Start thinking about where you'd like to live. Have you always wanted to live closer to the city, out in the country, or perhaps upstate? Keep in mind that living closer to your friends and family will make it more convenient for them to visit. Having a strong support group of peers and relatives will greatly contribute to your quality of life.

Your next consideration should be finding the right assisted living facility. There are many reputable online referral services to help take the guess work out of this decision. What are your needs? If you have special health concerns, make sure the facility has professional medical staff that can administer medications and is available at all hours. Choose a facility near a hospital or fire department. Assisted living communities are required to keep emergency response logs, so they will be able to tell you what the typical emergency repose time is for their facility. If your everyday health care requires you to travel off-site, ask if the facility provides transportation.

If you have unique dietary concerns then make sure the facility's kitchen can accommodate all of your needs and preferences. Ask the site director if you may tour the dining room. Notice whether the staffs are friendly and things are neatly kept. If you are allowed, sit down and sample the cooking. A well-run facility should provide cuisine that is both appetizing and nutritious. Find out if your guests will be allowed to dine with you for an additional, reasonable cost.

Talk to some current residents and ask if they are pleased with the services the facility provides. Ask specific questions. Is the staff (especially the overnight staff) cheerful, respectful and attentive? Remember, they will become a part of your daily life. What does the facility offer in terms of socialization? Does it feel like home to them? Questions like these will give you an idea of what to expect. Perhaps one of the best questions to ask a current resident is what they would change about the facility if they could. The answers to that question may give you more insight about the facility than any other.

Finally, you will have to consider the costs of assisted living. Unfortunately, Medicare pays nothing for assisted living, but there are a number of assisted living facilities offering lower pricing, or that may even accept Medicaid / COPES as a form of payment. Also, individuals who require minimal care may find assisted living to be quite affordable, since a person no longer has other expenses such as utilities and grocery costs. Once again, it comes down to what your needs are. Look over your finances and weigh your options. Prices will vary according to geographic location, the level of care you require, and services offered. Even if you can't afford a "5 Star" assisted living facility with all the amenities, you can still find facilities that offer assisted living which are affordable, and will allow you to maintain your present lifestyle.