2 minute read
Strategies When Searching for an Assisted Living Community
by Expert Contributor Lindsey Poeth, CSA®, Owner of Oasis Senior Advisors - Main Line
Choosing an Assisted Living (AL) or Personal Care (PC)* community is a life-changing decision that can be accompanied by anxiety and a sense of feeling overwhelmed. When families cannot organize and synthesize the enormous amount of information, the entire search process can easily stall out, leaving the senior in no better position than at the start of the search. Using key strategies when searching for a community can make the search process easier and have a higher likelihood of finding a great match for the senior.
Strategy #1: Define the Budget
Assess the senior’s assets and monthly income to understand what can be afforded each month. Without knowing this upfront, valuable time can be wasted.
Strategy #2: Don’t Go It Alone
Finding the right senior community is a huge decision. Don’t do it alone! Professional help can save a lot of stress and time, narrowing the available options to the ones that best fit your needs. To ensure that you have a good experience while searching and optimal long-term results, local experts should offer the pros and cons of different options, and advise you on each step of the process.
Strategy #3: Make Informed Decisions
Even if the need for AL/PC is urgent, it’s still important to do your research. Spend time evaluating three or four options so you can get a feel for the types of communities available. They will vary by the level of care provided, types of accommodations, activities, and aesthetics. Unfortunately, there are circumstances that may hasten the need for Assisted Living (e.g., the senior ends up in the hospital), making the need for professional guidance even greater.
Strategy #4: Understand the Pricing Structures
Understanding the care available and associated fees can help you determine which facilities will work best within the budget. Are care needs all-inclusive of pricing or charged on an as-needed basis? Ask questions like what will be refunded and what will be forfeited if the senior leaves the community after only several months?
Strategy #5: Involve the Senior in the Decision
Involving the senior is a critical aspect of the search for an AL/ PC community. Listen to their feedback to understand what is important such as apartment size, activities they enjoy, aesthetics they prefer. The best tactic is to present two or three pre-vetted options, then allow the senior the ultimate decision. Involving the senior will help them stay in control of their life choices and feel better about the decision to move.
*Most communities in PA are licensed as Personal Care rather than Assisted Living, although they are both very similar.
Expert Contributor Lindsey Poeth, CSA®, Owner of Oasis Senior Advisors - Main Line
484-947-4266
www.OasisSeniorAdvisors.com/MainLine
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