How to Choose an Assisted Living Community

Request FREE Assisted Living Concierge

Seniors looking to enjoy an independent lifestyle, while also having access to more living support, may opt to move to an Assisted Living Community. These communities are not appropriate for seniors needing intensive medical or nursing care.

Assisted Living Communities provide meals and support staff for housekeeping, laundry, medication reminders, social activities and transportation. The senior lives in their own apartment unit and can participate in extracurricular activities as much or as little as they would like.

Assisted Living is sometimes referred to as Residential Care, Board and Care, Congregate Care or Personal Care. Every state has licensing requirements for assisted living which vary widely — because of this, there may be communities referred to as "Independent Living" that really do offer everything an officially licensed "Assisted Living" community offers.

Caregiverlist's Checklist: Choosing an Assisted Living Community

1. Memory Loss

   Will the senior need to relocate if they experience memory loss? Some communities do not have locked access floors to prevent wandering, along with specialized staff for seniors with Alzheimer's Disease and other types of advanced memory loss.

2. Nursing Care

   Will the senior need to relocate if they need advanced nursing care? Some Assisted Living Communities offer nursing care in their communities, others do not.

3. Additional Costs

   Which services are included in the monthly rental fee and which will incur an additional cost? Think ahead about services which the senior may not need now but may need later, such as special dietary needs, medication management and mobility assistance.

4. Social Environment

   Will the senior feel comfortable and find other "like-minds" to build new friendships? Are there activities which will be of interest to them and easy access to off-site activities they previously were involved in?

5. Financial Planning

   If the Assisted Living Community offers a nursing center, will they allow the senior to continue as a Medicaid client if they should run out of money? Even seniors with substantial assets can run out of money when paying for full-time nursing care which can easily be $100,000 per year. Find out if Medicaid is accepted.

Because of the emotional, medical and financial considerations required when looking for the right Assisted Living Community, Caregiverlist has partnered with Senior Living Experts to provide complete resources for evaluating the right community for you or your loved one. Senior Living Experts will evaluate your needs, discuss the available options in your area and escort the senior on tours of the communities to allow them to make an educated decision. Their services are free to you.

• How Does it Work?
• Cost of Assisted Living
• When to Consider Assisted Living