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Who Evaluates a Senior for Assisted Living?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
A team of medical and long-term care specialists evaluate seniors for assisted living. Seniors require thorough assessments for facility admission and also when applying for financial assistance. Criteria can vary depending on facilities’ policies and state regulations, but individuals must typically fulfill care need requirements. Seniors may need to meet age conditions for facility admission and financial criteria for funding applications. Individuals and their loved ones often have input during the evaluation process.
Admission evaluations
Admission assessments ensure that a facility can adequately meet an individual’s care and support requirements and that assisted living is the most appropriate long-term care option. Staff members also use these evaluations to develop personalized care plans, which are periodically updated.
The assessment team may include care managers, nurses, social workers, dietitians, activity directors and administrators, alongside input from an individual’s primary care physician and existing support workers. Evaluations typically include details about a senior’s health and medical history, nutritional needs, mobility, cognition, functional abilities and care needs. They also often gather information related to an individual’s interests, lifestyle preferences and family.