How to Select the Best Assisted Living Facility

Assisted Living Facilities offer the freedom for seniors to continue living a good quality of life. The choices for senior living have grown widely in the past few years. Finding an assisted living home that is safe and that will meet your loved ones needs will be a challenge. Assisted living offers its residents 24 hour supervision, assistance, housekeeping, activities, dining plus much more. Look for a happy, healthy environment with extraordinary caregivers.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
    
   Grandparents

   Choose a location. The best location for the assisted living facility for your loved ones is close to where most of the family members live. You will find that you will need to make many visits to your loved ones to help with shopping, bookkeeping and other errands that need to be done.

2. 
    
   Tours

   Take a tour. Tour several homes before you make a decision. Each home will have its own unique character. Write down your likes and dislikes.

3. 
    
   Dinner

   Enjoy a meal. Food is a very important part of your loved one's life. Most assisted living centers will allow you to join them for a meal. This is a great way to test the food service.

4. 
    
   Bingo

   Cards, Crafts, Bingo, Tours. Find out what type of recreational activities the facility has. Most assisted living facilities offer an array of activities. Are there enough activities to keep your loved one active?

5. 
    
   Bus Service

   Bus Service. Do they have transportation? Shopping trips, doctors visits, tours and just going for a ride are often part of the assisted living amenities. Most seniors will have to give up their driving license for safety reasons.

6. 
    
   Church Services

   Are there worship services at the home? This is a very important part of the seniors daily life.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose an assisted living home that is close to where you live.
• When touring ask the current residents how they like living there.
• Try out the home for a week using the facilities respite program.

Resources

• Senior Living Tips and How To's
• 80 Years Plus-Recieve a Birthday Greeting from Our President
• Emergency Medical Alert Devices
• More Articles by Sharon Meier

[georgelarson]

on 12/28/2008 Good information. Thanks

[jamaclassics]

on 12/27/2008 Hey! I resemble that remark by AlishaV! I'm a baby boomer! I won't be able to sleep tonite thinking about my kids putting me in a home. They've been threatening me since I was 35. (because I always tell them I don't have any money when they ask for some.)

[MommyTeach]

on 12/27/2008 Great - I never thought I could sample the food. 5*

[HairCrazy]

on 12/27/2008 This can be really hard. Thanks for the tips!

[coachmac4]

on 12/27/2008 What timely tips for many of us who are facing this problem!