It might be challenging to locate the ideal assisted living community for your loved one. It can be challenging to limit your options because there are so many communities that provide various services.
Moving your loved one away from home and into assisted living may make you question whether you made the correct choice. Avoid making these five typical mistakes when selecting an assisted care community to make the process simpler.
Leaving Your Loved One Out of Decision Making
When your loved one would actually prefer a smaller, more private setting, you might imagine they would enjoy a community that is stylish and beautifully decorated (or vice versa).
Knowing your loved one’s “must-have” and “would be good to have” priorities can be beneficial (and less daunting) if you start your community investigation before sharing the information with them.
Determine the level of involvement your loved one would prefer, and if they so choose, include them right away. Inquire of them about each community you visit, and pay close attention to what they have to say.
Making Rushed Decisions
Rushing a choice occurs when a strategy wasn’t in place before a crisis, but it is typically accidental. Don’t subject yourself to needless pressure. Before a crisis occurs, do some research on the various communities in your area and prepare a list of the ones you want to see while keeping in mind the priorities of your loved ones.
When visiting the communities, speak with the employees to really get a feel for the vibe there. In some neighborhoods, your loved one is welcome to participate in an activity or try dining before making a decision. If it’s at all feasible, situations like these provide you and the person you care about comfort in your choice.
Minding the Expenses too much
There are many different sizes, shapes, and price points for assisted living communities. The level of care they receive or the amenities they may use may be compromised in a community with a cheap price tag.
Alternatively, expensive communities may not always provide the activities or care services your loved one needs to age in place. Utilize your list of “must-have” and “would be good to have” features to compare communities instead of focusing just on the financial element, and then dig further to comprehend each community’s price structure.
Deciding Based on Proximity
You can decide to choose an assisted living community that is nearby your home so that you can frequently see your loved one there. Even though you really want to go see them every day, life gets in the way.
Remember that your loved one will be occupied with activities, so paying them a daily visit might not be feasible. Remember that it might be worthwhile to go the “extra mile” if a nearby community offers more services, amenities, and programs that are tailored to your loved one’s requirements and preferences.
Failing to Plan Ahead
When selecting an assisted living community, it’s critical to take your loved one’s future care requirements into account. Currently, they might simply want assistance to take their medication on time, but in the future, they might also require assistance with cooking, bathing, and grooming.
Always search for an assisted living that provides the care that your loved one will require in the present and the future. Consider the financial impact that the need for more services and assistance may have on your loved one’s budget as well.
Begin the process early and give yourself plenty of time to gather information, explore potential communities, and feel secure in the choice your family has made.
