Assisting In Assisted Living Decisions

Moving into an assisted living facility could be a good choice when you have a disability or chronic illness and you don't feel safe living alone. There are different options in assisted living, so you can find something that suits you whether it is living in a home or apartment. Here's a look at some options for you to think about when choosing the right facility for your needs.

Choose The Living Arrangements

You may want to live in a group home setting where you have your own room or share a room with someone else. This could be the right choice if you don't want to be alone and you don't want to take care of an apartment. If you want privacy and as much independence as possible, then moving into a facility that has individual apartments might be a better choice. These facilities provide the same services such as medication monitoring and meals, so your choice depends on the type of living situation you want, how much care you need, and your finances.

Decide What Is Important

If you want to take your pet, then you'll need an assisted living facility that allows pets. Some assisted living homes have their own pets to make a homier living atmosphere, so that might be another option for you to enjoy a dog or cat without having to care for it. Also, if you still drive, learn about the policies for using and parking your car. If you don't drive and you want to stay active and mobile, choose a facility that has regular transportation to local shops and events.

You may even want a facility that allows you to have overnight guests in your apartment for when your family visits. If you're a sociable person, you may want an assisted living home that has a full social calendar of movies, games, and outings that help you make friends and keep you socially engaged. Since facilities have different policies and offerings, you'll want to check around and find a place you'll enjoy living.

Learn About The Care They Offer

Another important thing to know about an assisted living home is the type of care they provide. If you're starting to have memory problems, then look for a home that is equipped to deal with residents who have memory issues, especially if your condition is expected to decline with age. If you need help dressing, bathing, or using the bathroom, you want to be sure that someone is available to meet your needs quickly. In addition, learn how medical emergencies and illness are handled. If you have a condition such as COPD where you have frequent episodes that require medical care, you'll need staff trained to assist you and quick transportation to a hospital when needed. Upon release from the hospital, you may need additional nursing care as you recover.

Tour different facilities when you're looking for a place to move. Location is often important, and so is the look of the facility and how well they treat you. Talk to other residents if you can to find out how well they like their living arrangements. While you may need assisted living for medical and safety reasons, that doesn't mean you need to live in a place that doesn't feel like home.