How Do You Choose Assisted Living?

You can choose assisted living options based on your loved one’s care needs, lifestyle preferences and financial situation. Assisted living services range widely, from basic daily living support to extensive personal care assistance and routine health monitoring. Consider your loved one’s needs and abilities to find a community with appropriate accommodations.

If your loved one wishes to maintain an active, social lifestyle, search for communities with a bustling activity calendar and resort-style amenities. However, the more services and amenities a community offers, the more it may charge per month. It can be helpful to review your loved one’s finances and determine a monthly budget to find local options aligning with their needs and price range.

You can find assisted living close to home by checking if your local or state Area Agency on Aging maintains a searchable facility database. These databases often include each community’s contact information, resident capacity and records, including inspection or incident reports.

Caring.com also offers a searchable directory of communities across cities and states. Enter your location, desired care option and preferred cost to filter options aligning with your needs. Each community listing includes descriptions, overviews of amenities and services and reviews from past and current residents or their family members. Once you choose potential communities, schedule in-person tours to get a feel for the environments and speak with staff.

When preparing for assisted living tours, create a checklist of your loved one’s needs and preferences, and prioritize cleanliness, safety and privacy. It’s important your loved one feels comfortable and secure since the community will be their new home. Here are factors to consider during a tour:

• Type and number of rooms or apartments
• Room amenities, including kitchenettes, bathrooms and storage
• Home modifications, including grab bars and call buttons
• Security and fire safety systems
• Emergency generator for power outages
• Sanitation and cleaning practices
• Common areas, such as living rooms or dining areas
• Provided meals
• On-site medical services
• Well-lit hallways and marked exits
• Specialty services, including postal, banking or beauty salon
• Resident socialization opportunities

You should also ask about monthly rates and whether additional fees apply to certain services.