You and Mom have Decided Together it’s Time to Help her Move to an Assisted Living Community.

Now that you’ve made that difficult decision — what do you do next? How do you know what community is best for your parent? Below I’ve listed the last — TOP TEN THINGS — to look for in an Assisted Living Community. This list is by no means the total of what to look for — but certainly will give you a start in your search. You can always go on www.lknconnectcommunity.com and track the published articles. This article was donated by Cyndi Caldwell , who specializes as a Certified Senior Advisor.y

6. Talk to Residents

Why? These are the people who live here, and they will LOVE talking to you and are probably the most honest. Make a point to speak to most of the people you pass — and ask them direct questions. “How do you like living here?” “How is the food?” “Do you feel like the staff is responsive?” “Tell me about the IN-HOUSE nurse, Name.” “What is your favorite thing they do here at the community?” “What would you like to see changed?”

7. Eat a Meal and Bring your Mom or Dad

Why? You want to get an idea of what the food tastes like. Also ask for a menu. Most communities will have a month-long menu. Ask if they can administer for “special diets” such as diabetic, low salt-no salt, heart healthy, and so on. You may want to ask for their daily budget per resident for nutrition (they do have a budget for their food service, and they DO know what it is) this can tell you a lot about the quality of the food. Do they offer “snacks” during the day, what type and if so, is there a regular schedule for snack delivery? “What if my Mom doesn’t like the menu choices for the day — what happens then?” Find out.

8. Comparing Pricing

Why? Most expensive does not always mean best care. Also, in most cases quoted prices are negotiable. Most communities will tell you they are full or almost full with a wait list. You’ll know if this is true when you walk around the community — do you see empty rooms or residences? If the door is closed but there is no name on the door the room is vacant. This can affect price and negotiation ability. Their objective is to run at full occupancy. Ask for a written list of their pricing so you can compare apples to apples. Does the quoted price include all base elements of the Assisted Living program which should be rent, food service, housekeeping, most activities, and transportation?

9. Understand Care

An Assisted Living community is designed to offer care for your Mom or Dad’s ADL’s (or Activities of Daily Living). They include bathing, dressing, eating, continence, medication management, and ambulation. Your family member may need assistance with one, two or all of these ADL functions. How many ADL’s they need assistance with will affect the PRICE? This may well be in addition to the base price for room and board. This price for care can also CHANGE over time as the needs of your loved one change.  Assisted Living communities are designed to offer assistance to seniors — they are NOT a nursing home! Understand that should your Mom need further assistance that involves 24 hour nursing supervision she may no longer be able to stay in an Assisted Living residence nor would you want her to. Incidences that might change the game from Assisted Living options to Nursing Home or more advanced care could be but are not exclusively– IV Therapy, Ambulation issues that involve more than one person assistance, serious continence issues, and loss of cognitive functions, wandering, and dialysis. Understanding what the function of an Assisted Living is. It is very important for making the right choices for your family member. Also knowing that if their condition should change it may also mean that you will need to change their living arrangement.

10. Listen to your Intuition

Why? Your heart will tell you a lot about an Assisted Living placement. The most important element of all is your INVOLVEMENT! You will be the advocate for your Mom or Dad’s appropriate care. If the best choice for your loved one is an Assisted Living having, you in proximity and involved in their care and decision making is the most important element. Certainly, staff and management of Assisted Living facilities are trained — but YOU are family, and your family member is depending on you to be their voice.

My Mother getting in trouble giving her grandchildren rides on her electric wheelchair. They loved it but the staff didn’t!
Review, video and pictures by Margi Kyle and Cyndi Caldwell
Cyndi Caldwell
Certified Senior Advisor


As a Certified Senior Advisor – Cyndi is on a mission to advise Seniors and their family members on viable options for Senior Living, Senior Care, Dementia Care and Boomer Life! Her extensive experience comes from having worked and trained with the finest providers in the industry – Bell Senior Living, Five Star Senior Care, and Seniors Helping Seniors. Retired now and enjoying the “Boomer Life”  Cyndi continues to advise seniors and their families as they navigate through the process of aging. 

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