If you or a loved one are considering moving into an assisted living facility, then there are a lot of questions you will need to ask before you can make a decision.
In this article, we will discuss the questions that you may want to consider asking when looking at assisted living facilities. It is a good idea to ask these questions to members of staff as well as the management team of the assisted living facility.
So, if this is of interest to you, then read on for more!
What Questions To Ask When Looking At Assisted Living Facilities
Here are some of the questions you should ask when looking into an assisted living facility.
1. What Are The Credentials Of This Assisted Living Facility?
This should be the first question you ask when choosing a facility. You will need to make sure that it is accredited and licensed by the state.
It is also a good idea to look into the Better Business Bureau because you will be able to find out if any complaints have been made against the facility.
2. How Much Does It Cost?
You will need to find out how much the assisted living facility costs. The price of a facility will vary from state to state and different facilities can charge for different things, such as an entrance fee, monthly fees, etc.
In general, the cost of assisted living facilities can range from $2,000 to $7,000 a month.
3. What Do The Assisted Living Costs Include?
Costs will go towards:
- Room and board
- Laundry and housekeeping
- Apartment maintenance and repairs
- Landscaping and snow removal
- Care from a nurse or an aide
- Private transport
4. Is Financial Assistance Available?
If you do not necessarily have the budget for an assisted living facility, you need to find out if they offer any financial assistance, such as income-based sliding of scale fees or a scholarship.
5. What Is The Facilities Policy Regarding Medicaid?
If your loved one is on Medicaid, then this is an important question to ask because some facilities do not accept Medicaid. Asking this question can narrow down your options and help you to choose between facilities.
6. What Kind Of Rooms Do They Have Available?
Different facilities will have different rooms with different floor plans. Some will have apartments with a bedroom, kitchenette, living area, and bathroom. Some will have an outdoor porch. So, it is a good idea to tour the facility to see what they are offering.
7. Does The Facility Permit Overnight Guests?
You will need to check if you or other family members could stay overnight. Some facilities allow this, while others do not.
8. What Are The Visiting Hours?
People are busy and available at various times of the day, so it is good to know when the visiting hours for the facility are so you can help people plan their schedules.
9. Can Friends And Family Have Meals With A Resident?
Most facilities will allow friends and family members to have a meal with the resident, but it is always good to make sure this is possible!
10. Will Your Specific Needs Be Met?
An assisted living facility is appropriate for loved ones who need assistance with simple tasks. This can include testing for blood glucose, the management of insulin, or taking medication.
If your loved one needs 24/7 care, then the best place for them to live would be a nursing home.
So, you should discuss details of medical needs or conditions with the ALF and they will be able to determine if you or your loved one meet the requirements for living there.
11. Are Pets Allowed?
If you or your loved one has a pet that they do not want to leave, it is important to make sure that the ALF allows pets, so they can move in, too.
12. Does The ALF Provide On-Site Therapy?
Most of them do, but it is always good to check.
13. What Activities Does The ALF Provide?
Most ALF communities will have a set routine of events and activities that the residents can be a part of. It is good to check that these activities interest you or your loved one who will be moving into the ALF.
It is also good to check that the ALF has a recreational therapist who is trained to work with the varying skill levels of every resident during recreational activities.
14. What Are The Care Plans Of The ALF?
You will need to understand the care plan the particular ALF has in place for your loved one or you. Choose one that matches your expectations and your needs.
With ALF, there are three levels of care:
- Low Assisted living care: here, the residents can walk or are mobile. They have minimal or no issues with memory and can do most things on their own.
- High assisted living care: here, the resistance may struggle with self-care or mobility tasks. You may see early signifiers of Alzheimer’s or dementia.
- Memory care: here, residents will have Alzheimer’s or dementia, or other conditions that affect their cognition.
15. How Does The ALF Help With End-Of-Life Care?
ALF facilities should always have help in place regarding end-of-life care. This includes provisional hospice services if required. You will need to ask about their policies on residents who are in hospice.
16. How Many Residents Live In The ALF?
This can give you an idea of how much attention will be given to every resident and is an indicator of the activities that will be provided.
17. What Does The Staff Training Process Look Like?
Every staff member in an ALF receives basic lifesaving training, like first aid and CPR. Then, they receive training based on the services they provide. For example, the kitchen staff will receive food hygiene and other kitchen-based training, etc.
18. What Is The Average Time A Resident Can Stay In The ALF?
On average, the length of stay for residents is two years, but every ALF is different, so it is good to double-check.
Final Thoughts
In this article, we have provided some questions you will need to ask when choosing an ALF for you or a loved one. We hope this article tells you all you need to know about what questions are best when it comes to assisted living facilities.
