What is Assisted Living?

Assisted Living | What Services Can I Expect

Just as the types of environments and their ownership specifics can differ from location to location, the services offered by an assisted living facility will also vary depending on your geographic region, as well as your financial means.

Despite this, most assisted living facilities will offer seniors a host of standard benefits, including:

• A private living space with a locking door
• At least two meals a day, one being the individual’s main meal
• Regular housekeeping or cleaning services
• Personal care services, which can encompass dressing, bathing, grooming, and a variety of other tasks that may be deemed necessary by a medical professional
• Access to laundering services or equipment for towels, linens, and personal items
• Heating or air conditioning options to meet basic safety requirements
• An emergency response system that’s active 24/7

While your assisted living arrangement may include some or all of these services, others may also be available to seniors for an extra weekly or monthly price. All candidates for an assisted living opportunity and their families should examine all their options and select the ones that best suit their unique needs and wants.

At the end of the day, you want to ensure that the assisted living facility allows the resident to maintain a happy, healthy lifestyle and doesn’t sacrifice any of their short- and long-term independence.

Assisted Living | What Should I Look Out for When I Visit?

When you’ve completed the initial search stage and are ready to narrow down your assisted living facility options, it’s vital to ensure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Before you consider visiting or signing on with a particular residence, ask for the following:

• The facility or company brochure (many places have a digital version available on their website)
• A copy of a typical resident’s contract. Make sure this includes the terms and conditions, as well as a cost breakdown
• Details on the facility’s waiting list procedure. If they already have an active list, find out how long your potential wait period will be

If those preliminary steps yield positive results, the next step is scheduling an in-person or virtual visit to the retirement facility. Ideally, seniors should visit the facility with a family member or a close friend.

When visiting an assisted living facility in-person or virtually, do so with a family member or close friend. During the visit, keep the following questions in mind: 

General Questions

• Does the facility make a good first impression? Why or why not?
• Are the manager and staff friendly and welcoming?
• Are the unit and the communal areas clean and well-maintained?

Care and Accessibility 

• Does the facility meet my current health needs?
• Can the home support me if I need additional assistance due to illness or a disability?
• What kind of care is available if I need medication assistance?

Living Spaces 

• Do I share my living space with anyone else?
• How clean and well-maintained is my unit?
• Is there access to an outdoor area, like a garden? What about lounge areas?

Meals 

• What kind of meals are served daily?
• How often do meals change?
• Do you cater to special dietary requirements? What about cultural preferences?

Visitors

• What is your visitor policy?
• Are there visitor restrictions such as the number of visitors or time they can visit?
• Can visitors stay overnight?

Assisted Living | What Should I Bring When I Move In?

Once you’ve settled on an assisted living facility, the final stage of the transition process is moving in.

This part of any senior’s journey can be nerve-wracking for both them and their loved ones. Once you’ve decided on a facility, be sure everyone involved with the transition communicates clearly and frequently with another, including the facility’s management team.

During the packing process, use this checklist as a guide: 

• Clothing: Pack enough for two weeks that will last in between laundry days. Include clothes for day-to-day living, social and fitness activities, and other specialized events. These items encompass comfortable tops and bottoms, coats for both mild and cold days, sleepwear, slippers, indoor shoes, outdoor shoes, robes, underwear, socks and/or tights, activewear, hats, scarves, and gloves. 
• Personal hygiene: Take all the products that will make you feel more at home in your new space. These can include prescription medicine, supplements, soap, shampoo and conditioner, makeup, perfume or cologne, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, body lotion, moisturizer, shaving products, and more.
• Bedding: Bringing your own bedding can make you feel more at ease, especially if you have a specific personal preference. For example, you may want to bring your own blanket, comforter, throw, pillow, and pillowcase. 
• Electronics: Bring all the essentials like a smartphone, tablet, computer, TV and remote, camera, headphones, and the chargers and cords for all the items.
• Bedroom furniture: The care home may provide these items, but double-check with management to see if you can bring your own desk, drawers, nightstand, bookshelf, or lamp.
• Personal items: items like framed photos, photo albums, books, movies, puzzles, games, and other decorative items can help ease the move.

Labeling all items not provided by the retirement home is highly recommended, just in case they get lost, mixed up with communal items, or if you have cognitive limitations.