When choosing an assisted living home for your loved one, it’s important to be prepared with the right questions. Here are a few of the questions you need to ask in order to help your loved one choose the best place for them.
Learn About the Community & Residents
Prior to visiting an assisted living home, check out their website to see if they provide any information to answer the questions below, or to help you come up with further questions. In addition to asking these questions, make sure you receive a full tour of the community. Ask about the current residents, since they may end up being your loved one’s neighbors!
- Do you do an initial assessment or interview prior to accepting admission?
- What types of units are available?
- Do all units have kitchens and private bathrooms?
- What is your policy involving waitlists?
- What are the outdoor spaces of your community like?
- How many residents live here?
- Tell me about some of your current residents.
- Is transportation (to appointments, errands, etc.) provided?
- What social activities are available?
- What are the meals like? Does the kitchen accommodate special dietary needs and restrictions?
- Are pets allowed?
- What services do you provide if the needs of the resident change?
- What are your discharge policies?
Staff Information
It’s important to understand the responsibilities, care level, and expertise of an assisted living home’s staff because they will greatly impact your loved one’s experience. Additionally, you want to be sure that the staff is ready to care for all the needs and medical conditions that your loved one may have, and has policies in place to effectively communicate information about your loved one to you. Be sure to ask the following questions:
- What training and experience do you require of your staff?
- What’s your staff to resident ratio?
- Do you have a nurse on staff 24/7?
- How many staff are on duty during night shifts?
- Can staff administer medications?
- Do you have experience with [the needs or medical diagnosis of your loved one]?
- How will staff communicate with family about the health of the resident or if there are changes in services?
Payments & Billing
Don’t let your loved one be surprised by hidden fees by doing your due diligence to find out all expenses they’ll be responsible for. Make sure to check if expenses or services can be covered by medical insurance or subsidy programs if needed instead of having to pay out of pocket. Here are the important financial questions to ask:
- What is the monthly cost per unit type?
- What are the billing and payment policies?
- Are all services included in the overall fee? If not, what are the additional charges?
- Do you accept Medicaid and other low-income subsidy programs as a form of payment?
Making the move to an assisted living home can be a stressful matter for the best of us, but so many opportunities for fun and joy await your loved ones. Give our assisted living professionals a call today at (516) 496-1505 or visit us online and find out how a stay with us can give your loved ones the “suite” life they’ve always wanted.
