Choosing an assisted living facility for you or a loved one can be a difficult process.
First, it marks a major change in one’s lifestyle.
Second, you want to find a place that is a good fit – one that will provide adequate accommodations for years into the future.
When reviewing your options, it is very important to consider personal needs, and to trust your feelings and reactions when visiting possible locations.
In my 18 years as the owner of Country Home Assisted Living in Parker, Colorado, I’ve learned firsthand the difference it makes when facilities are properly vetted. So here are 15 questions to get you started.
- Is the facility licensed?
- What is the admission criteria?
- What is the starting price and what does it cover? If applicable to your situation, be sure to also ask if Medicaid is accepted.
- What are the room sizes and are they private or semi-private? What about bathrooms?
- How many residents live at the assisted living facility?
- What is the ratio of residents to staff?
- What type of care is provide?
- What type of meals are provided? If applicable, you’ll also want to ask if special diets can be accommodated.
- How is housekeeping/laundry handled?
- Are cable TV and Internet service provided?
- What types of activities, such as outings or art classes, are available?
- Is transportation available to and from doctors’ offices?
- Can a personal family physician be involved in providing medical care?
- Are family members welcome to visit and/or take their loved ones out for a family activity, lunch or doctor appointment?
- What are the reasons for which a resident can be discharged? And how much notice is given to the family?
This is just a preliminary list of questions to get you started. Please add to it as you consider all the questions that you and your family have when checking out the various assisted living facilities in your area.