Finding the right assisted living facility can feel like a daunting process, but it doesn’t have to be. Once you know how to approach the subject, it will seem a lot less complicated.
The first step in finding an assisted living facility is to determine what your needs are and how you want to live. The second step is to find a facility that meets those needs.
This article will help you with both steps. So, let’s get to it!
Determine Your Needs
There are many things to consider when choosing an assisted living facility, including but not limited to:
- Your budget
- Your health status
- Your family situation
- Your preferences
Choose A Facility That Meets Your Needs
Once you’ve determined what you need, then you’ll need to choose a facility that meets those requirements.
There are many factors to take into consideration when making this decision, such as:
- Location
- Amenities
- Staff training
- Care plans
- Cost
Start Looking For Facilities
Now that you’re ready to start looking at facilities, there are a few things you should keep in mind before doing so.
First of all, you don’t necessarily need to look at every single facility in town. You may only need to visit one or two. It depends on your needs and wants.
You also don’t need to go online to do research. In fact, most people prefer to use a referral from someone they trust.
This person could be a relative, friend, doctor, etc. If you do decide to use the Internet, make sure you read reviews about the facility.
Make Sure They Meet Your Requirements
When visiting a facility, ask yourself these questions:
- Is the staff friendly?
- Does the facility offer activities?
- Are the residents happy?
- Do they meet your expectations?
These are just a few examples of questions you should ask yourself while visiting a facility.
However, if you’re unsure whether a particular facility meets your needs, you can always call them up and talk to their staff members.
Check Out Their Costs
After you’ve visited a number of facilities, you’ll probably want to compare costs. To do this, you’ll need to calculate what each facility charges per month.
Then, you’ll need to add up the total cost of the different options.
Here are some ways to figure out the monthly cost of a facility:
- Look at the list prices on the website.
- Ask the facility manager for a quote.
- Call around to other facilities and ask them for quotes.
Decide Whether To Go With One Option Or Another
At this point, you’ll probably be able to narrow down your choices. But, which option is best for you? Well, that really depends on your personal circumstances.
For example, if you’re planning on moving soon, then you might want to think about going with an independent living facility.
On the other hand, if you don’t have a lot of time left and you’re willing to spend more money, then you might want a memory care facility.
The bottom line is that no matter what you choose, you’ll still need to pay attention to your finances.
Even though you might be paying less overall, you still need to plan ahead. So, it’s important that you find a way to save money.
Determine How Long You Want To Live At The Facility
Once you’ve decided on a facility, you’ll need to determine how long you want to live there. Some facilities will allow you to stay for a certain amount of time, while others won’t.
For example, some facilities will let you stay as long as you like. Others will limit you to a specific period of time, and some facilities will charge extra fees if you stay longer than a set amount of time.
Talk To A Lawyer About Any Legal Issues
Now that you know how to find the right assisted living facility, you’ll likely want to get legal advice.
After all, you’ll be signing contracts when you move into a facility. So, it’s essential that you understand what those contracts say.
In addition, you’ll also want to consider any potential lawsuits that may arise in the future.
For instance, if you were injured during an accident, you might sue the company that owns or operates the facility.
So, make sure that you hire a lawyer who specializes in elder law. This means that he or she has experience dealing with issues related to older adults.
Get Insurance
If you don’t already have insurance, now is the time to get it.
And, even if you’re healthy, you still need to protect yourself from financial problems. That’s why it’s so important to have health insurance.
Make Sure Your Money Is Properly Invested
After you’ve found the right assisted living facility and made sure that you have insurance, you should start thinking about investing your money.
You’ll probably need to put away a little bit of money each month. However, you can use that money to invest in stocks and bonds – but this is only an option.
You can also use part of your savings to buy life insurance. If something happens to you, your family members will receive money to help them cover the expenses.
You can also use your savings to pay off debts. In fact, if you have credit card debt, you should try to pay it off before you move into a facility because you might struggle to do this once you’re there.
Final Thoughts: Start Planning Now
Now that you’ve taken these steps, you should start planning for retirement. As we mentioned earlier, you should take stock of your assets and figure out where they are going to go.
This includes figuring out whether you’ll use them to fund your retirement or give them away to your loved ones.
The sooner you start planning, the better. By doing this, you’ll avoid making costly mistakes later on.
Most people think that moving into an assisted living facility is only for seniors.
But, it’s actually a great option for anyone who needs assistance with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, etc.
