Stop 1: The Road Ahead: How to Choose Care

Choosing the right place to live is a decision that will have profound impact, every day, on an older adult’s sense of well-being, dignity, and quality of life. Whether you’re making a senior housing decision suddenly after a medical crisis or hospitalization, or you’re planning ahead for a need that may arise, be sure to involve your parent as much as possible in the decision-makeing process. You might also seek input from his or her primary care doctor, clergy, close friends, and other relatives.

1. Be clear about medical needs.  Evaluate the medical needs of your parent to determine what level of care is needed. Not every older person needs the skilled medical care of a nursing home, but may need some sort of care as they age. Our interactive Health Status checklist points you in the right direction.

2) Be realistic about finances. Inventory your financial resources available to pay for longterm care, so you’ll find a solution you can comfortably afford. Today’s senior housing options fit a variety of families’ unique situations and budgets. Our financial checklist will help.

3) Look at several facilities. Talk to several potential communities in your desired area, making personal visits when you can. Each has its own fee structure, policies, admission requirements, and menu of services, so ask the same questions to each community to compare exactly what’s offered.

 

Onto Stop 2: What’s New in Senior Housing

 

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