Before You Move Your Parents to an Assisted Living Facility

Takeaways

• Assisted living communities provide care and peace of mind for aging parents and their families.
• When considering assisted living, involve your family in discussions, understand what assisted living can do to help, make a plan to cover care costs, visit senior living communities, consult several sources to determine the best option, and prepare your parents for the transition.
• An elder law attorney can help with long-term care planning, understanding payment options, and reviewing facility contracts.

Assisted living communities can provide essential care and peace of mind for you and your aging parents. Identifying the most suitable facility for your loved one is a journey requiring matching your parents’ needs, budget, and lifestyle with desirable locations. Research and preparation yield the best results when all parties participate by asking questions and engaging in open and honest conversations about expectations.

When your aging parents need more help than an in-home caregiver can provide, take these six steps to learn about assisted living before committing to relocating your parents.

1. Have a Conversation With Your Family

Where applicable, include all siblings in the initial discussion, no matter how far away they may live. If you’re the driving force behind calling the meeting, be clear about your capacity to participate and provide care.

If you’re already your parents’ caregiver, be honest about how challenging the job is and remind them you can’t perform the duties indefinitely without support. Work at the outset to settle any disagreements. Securing family members’ support is key to providing a smooth transition and reducing your workload. Your siblings may surprise you with input or solutions that may not have occurred to you.

If your parents are unwilling to listen to your proposed shift in their care, find a quiet moment when you can relay your feelings, observations, and concerns. Though your parents may be in denial, you must listen to them and document their apprehensions as well as their preferences. If they remain unmoved, perhaps employ the services of a professional mediator who can provide everyone with a safe and constructive environment for this discussion. An elder law attorney may be an excellent choice.

2. Understand What Assisted Living Can Do to Help

Significant life changes can bring about stress, particularly for seniors, who may tend to resist to change. You can evaluate your parents’ needs with an assessment of their activities of daily living (ADLs), such as whether they can safely dress, bathe, and get from one place to another on their own.

Recognize that assisted living encompasses far more than many people realize, although it’s not as involved as memory care or nursing homes. Do some research to understand what assisted living offers and match it to your parents’ requirements. While healthy skepticism is reasonable, don’t forget to consider the potential benefits assisted living offers. From ensuring residents receive personal care to offering social activities to providing private living spaces, assisted living facilities can help ensure your aging loved one maintains a high quality of life.

Consider speaking to a local senior living advisor who has expertise in senior care. Many offer free advice and recommendations. You may also reach out to an elder law attorney for more resources and information.

3. Make a Plan to Cover Care Costs

Cost may be the most significant determining factor when looking for senior living options. Assess what your family can afford monthly and seek out assisted living communities that match your budget. If you are fortunate, your parents may have savings or long-term care insurance that will help defray the costs. Many families must explore other avenues.

Speak candidly to your parents about their finances. The most successful transition plans are born from open, honest dialogue about the critical factors in their move. Assisted senior living can be costly.

Help your parents to understand the expenses related to assisted living. Understand options for care payment, whether retirement savings, long-term care insurance, Medicare, or veterans’ benefits.

4. Visit Senior Living Communities

Taking a tour through an assisted living community will always be better than looking through brochures, photos, reviews, and floor plans.

Visit a minimum of three communities that make your shortlist. Try to schedule time for your parents to tour as well. Mealtimes can be an excellent time to tour and see residents interacting with other residents and the on-site staff.

5. Consult Several Sources to Determine the Best Option

Talk to as many people as possible to learn from their experiences. Relying on a narrow range of information can lead to bad outcomes. Read senior living community reviews. Learn about state regulations for facilities, background check requirements, and appropriate agency licensing.

Set up a meeting with an elder law attorney to go over assisted living contracts, as they can be confusing. Understanding the scope of the contract is crucial to identifying what is provided and avoiding unforeseen or hidden costs. An elder law attorney is best for this contract review as they act as advocates for the vulnerable senior population.

6. Prepare Your Parents for the Transition to Senior Living

Once discussions with your parents are underway, don’t delay the move. The more time your parents have to mull things over, the more uneasy they may become about the unknown.

Be action-oriented and help them to downsize by consolidating their possessions. Plan and coordinate the move carefully to minimize stress levels for all involved. Senior move managers know what to expect and can help your move run smoothly. Be sure to gather and manage your parents’ legal, medical, financial, and other essential documents to ensure they’re not misplaced or lost during the move.

Being compassionate to your parents is vital during this life transition. Involving all family members in a constructive dialogue to create a positive approach to the move is critical. Some parents may make a move with relative ease, while other parents may present more challenges.

Contact an Elder Law Attorney

If you or your parents would like to discuss options for long-term care planning, be sure to connect with an experienced elder law attorney near you. They can help your family plan for the possibility of high long-term care costs and understand the payment options available, such as Medicaid or veterans’ benefits.

For related reading, check out the following articles:

• States With the Highest and Lowest Assisted Living Costs
• Assisted Living vs. Nursing Homes: What’s the Difference?
• Home Health Services Underused by Seniors, Study Shows