community where your senior loved one will be feel right at home.
Common Mistakes in the Search for Assisted Living
When exploring your options for an assisted living community, here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Don’t Choose a Community You Would Love
We all have different tastes. You might be ready to retire and pack your bags to move into a luxurious lakeshore assisted living community right now. But the locale may not reflect your parent’s dream, at all.
When you are touring senior housing communities, do your best to keep your parent’s tastes, interests, and hobbies in mind. If you can, bring your parent along to help you assess different communities.
2. Select a Community Based on Current and Future Needs
When you visit communities, think about the person your parent is now—what they would enjoy and the type of surroundings that would make them feel comfortable. While it’s not always easy to predict, also try to consider what type of care your parent will likely require in the months and years ahead.
3. Involve Your Parent in the Process
Don’t overlook how important it is to include your parent in this process whenever possible. Ask them what features they want in their new space.
Maybe your mom spent her life in a cozy house with country decor, but would like to enjoy retirement in more luxurious surroundings. Or maybe your mom always enjoyed designer clothes and furnishings and wants something simpler for a change.
Whenever possible, enlist your parent’s feedback before making a selection.
4. Consider the Community’s Location but Don’t Make it the Top Priority
You’ve found the perfect community. It’s right on your way home from work, so you can visit daily. But remember, it’s important for your parent to create a new life in assisted living with friends and hobbies of his or her own.
Life happens. Daily visits may be impractical regardless of how close your parent lives. And no matter how close—or far away—your parent lives you’ll make the time to visit if it’s important to you. So make sure that your parent finds a place he or she will be happy when you’re not there.
5. Be Mindful of Your Parent’s Budget
As with buying a house or renting an apartment, your parent undoubtedly has a budget for senior living. Don’t tour places outside that budget and create unrealistic expectations.
Consider how your parent will need to pay for assisted living, whether through private pay, long-term care insurance, or life insurance. You may also explore Medicare, Medicaid, or VA benefit options.
This can help you set a budget and find the best community he or she can afford within their price range.
A Five Star Senior Living expert is happy to discuss payment options to help your aging parent afford assisted living. Call the community closest to you with any questions you might have!