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How to choose an assisted living facility
Should they stay, or should they go?
When to talk to your loved one about assisted living
SENIOR CARE
U.S. Administration on Aging offers the
following advice to help you and your
loved one find an appropriate assisted
living facility:
»
Look around. Visit more than one
facility. And visit each facility more
than once.
»
Visit during meal times, and sample
some food.
»
Talk to the residents.
»
Watch how the residents and staff
interact.
»
Ask for a written statement of the
facility’s philosophy of care.
»
Find out what kinds of social,
recreational and spiritual activities
are offered.
»
Review licensing reports.
»
Ask about retention policies.
What sort of mental or physical
disabilities would require moving
your loved one to a different
facility?
»
If the facility is connected to a
nursing home, ask for information
about it too.
»
Call your state’s long-term-care
ombudsman. Ask about complaints
filed against the facility. Call the
local Better Business Bureau too.
Your mom still lives
in the house
where you grew up. It’s filled with
memories of family and friends. Your
mom loves that house. But today she
said something you’ve never heard her
say before: “Sometimes I feel like this
house is too much for me.”
Maybe it’s time to talk to your
mom about moving to an assisted
living facility.
These facilities are like apartments
for older people who are having some
difficulty living on their own—but
who don’t need the intensive care
of a nursing home. The apartments
may have kitchens, but the facility
might also serve meals in a communal
dining area. The facility might offer
transportation services and some
health care monitoring.
Assisted living might be a good
option for a loved one who:
»
»
Can’t take care of a house and yard.
»
»
Is unsteady on his or her feet.
»
»
Has difficulty driving or isn’t
a safe driver.
»
»
Has a chronic condition like
diabetes, arthritis or emphysema.
»
»
Has poor vision or hearing.
The best time to talk to a loved
one about assisted living is before it’s
necessary. AARP offers these tips for
starting the conversation:
»
»
Mention a friend whose parent
is needing in-home help. Ask if
that kind of help has crossed your
loved one’s mind.
»
»
Express concern. “I worry about
you carrying laundry up and down
those stairs.”
»
»
Ask if your loved one
feels overwhelmed by
housework or yardwork.
»
»
Ask your loved one if he or she
feels comfortable behind the wheel.
Have they ever considered senior
taxi or van services?
»
»
Ask if your loved one has ever
thought about living somewhere else.
Unless you have serious safety
concerns, it’s OK to drop the subject
if the talk doesn’t go well. You can
bring it up again later.
CMH offers safe,
comfortable assisted
living and residential
care options for seniors.
Schedule a visit with
Butterfield Residential
Care Center in Bolivar at
417-328-6380
or Lake
Stockton Healthcare
Facility in Stockton at
417-276-5126
.