How to choose an assisted living facility

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What is the best way to go about choosing an assisted living facility for my parent? Their health has declined to the point that living at home is not an option anymore, but they are not quite ready for a nursing home.

If your parent needs help with things like bathing, dressing, preparing meals, managing medications or just getting around, an assisted living facility is definitely a good option to consider. Assisted living facilities are residential communities that offer different levels of health- or personal-care services for seniors who want or need help with daily living.

There are nearly 29,000 assisted living communities (also called board and care, supportive-care or residential-care facilities) in the United States today, some of which are part of a retirement community or nursing home. Most facilities have anywhere between 10 and 100 suites, varying in size from a single room to a full apartment. Some even offer special memory care units for residents with dementia.

To help you choose a good assisted living facility for your parent, here are some steps to follow.

Make a list

There are several sources you can turn to for referrals to top assisted living communities in your area, such as your parent's doctor or a nearby hospital-discharge planner, friends or neighbors who have had a loved one in assisted living, or you can do your own online search.

Do some research

To research the communities on your list, call a long-term care ombudsman. This is a government official who investigates long-term care facility complaints and advocates for residents and their families. This person can help you find the latest health inspection reports on specific assisted living facilities and can tell you which ones have had complaints or other problems in the past.

Call the facilities

Once you have identified a few good assisted living facilities, call them to see if they have any vacancies, what they charge and if they provide the types of services your parent needs.

Tour your top choices

During your visit, take notice of a few key factors the facility has to offer. Is it homey and inviting? Does the staff seem responsive and kind to its residents? Also, be sure to taste the food and talk to the residents and their family members, if available. It is also a good idea to visit several times at different times of the day and different days of the week to get a broader perspective.

On your facility visit, get a copy of the admissions contract and the residence rules that outline the fees (and any extra charges), services and residents' rights, and explanations for when a resident might be asked to leave because their condition has worsened or they require more care than the facility can provide. Additionally, find out their staff turnover rate, COVID infection-control procedures, and if and when medical professionals are on site.

How to pay

Monthly costs for assisted living range anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000 or more, depending on where you live, the facility you choose and the services provided. Since Medicare does not cover assisted living, most residents pay out of pocket from their own personal funds, and some have long-term care insurance policies.

If your parent has limited financial resources and cannot afford this, most states now have Medicaid waiver programs that help pay for assisted living. If your parent is a veteran, they may be able to get funds through the VA Aid and Attendance benefit. To find out about these programs, ask the assisted living facility director, or contact the local Medicaid office at Medicaid.gov or the regional VA benefit office at 800-827-1000.

“Savvy Living” is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to NBC’s “Today Show.” The column, and others like it, is available to read via The American Legion’s Planned Giving program, a way of establishing your legacy of support for the organization while providing for your current financial needs. Learn more about the process, and the variety of charitable programs you can benefit, at legion.org/plannedgiving. Clicking on “Learn more” will bring up an “E-newsletter” button, where you can sign up for regular information from Planned Giving.