To help you decide whether the time is right for Senior Living, particularly Assisted Living, we offer this decision guide.
Retirement options are brighter and wider than ever before in history. (See Senior Living Terms.) Yet all those choices can sometimes just lead to confusion. So our first advice is to clearly identify what you’re trying to solve, with an eye not just to next year, but to the next 5-10 years.
Assisted Living is a relatively new idea. In the late 1990s, our culture realized that the town “nursing home” was often a dour choice. Institutional. Depressing. No real home at all.
We also realized many seniors didn’t require a nurse, just a little help with daily living. And as our nation’s treasures, they certainly deserved not just to survive, but thrive amid fine dining, libraries, fitness centers and creative programs. Built on a European social model, Assisted Living is a new paradigm in wellness and engagement.
How do I know it’s time to move to Assisted Living?
Simply said, when the transition will ease the stress of either the senior’s life or the family caregiver’s.
Assisted Living is the best choice if your parent or spouse needs more personal care than he/she can get (or afford) in the home or in an Independent Living community, yet doesn’t need 24-hour medical care and supervision. Consider these further determinants:
Safety
Have there been any recent falls?
Driving mishaps?
Bruises or cuts he/she doesn’t want you to notice?
Prone to wander?
Leaving the stovetop on?
Health
Struggling with failing eyesight?
Poor balance?
Forgetfulness?
Hygiene
Wearing the same clothes day after day?
Struggling with personal bathing and toileting?
Housekeeping
Dishes not getting washed?
Home looking less tidy and more cluttered?
Unopened mail accumulating?
Dietary
Losing weight?
Spoiled or no food in the refrigerator?
Unable to get to the grocery store?
Social
Calling/seeing friends infrequently?
Alone more often than not?
No longer attending church or other regular social activities?
Is it Alzheimer’s?
Changes in cognitive abilities, executive function, and behavior could signal the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. However, some of these same symptoms are also indicative of other forms of dementia. While only a neurologist can diagnosis Alzheimer’s, the following could be warning signs:
- Difficulty with familiar tasks
- Slipping job performance
- Language difficulties
- Confusion of place and time
- Lack of judgment
- Trouble with abstract thinking
- Misplacing and hiding objects
- Mood fluctuations
- Changes in personality
- Lack of initiative
Starting the Conversation
Pick a time and place that’s relaxed. Gather important family members. Then start slow. This is not a once-for-all conversation; it often comes in stages. Still, you might be surprised. Perhaps your loved one has been thinking about this very thing for some time. Don’t forget to include the benefits in your discussion.
For as much as we all resist change, we know from near-continuous experience, that change also brings invigorating new relationships, joys and adventure. The structure and society offered in Assisted Living communities can bring a return of healthy routines and healthier lives.
Monthly Expense Comparison (.pdf form to download)
(This needs to be formatted as a checklist with two column headers (Current Home and MorningStar); all the blank lines under MS should read “included
Compare your current cost of living to the value of MorningStar
Mortgage/Rent
Property Tax/Home Insurance
Meals/Snacks & Refreshments
Real Estate Taxes
Utilities (electric, gas, water, sewer, trash, cable, internet)
Housekeeping
Laundry, Personal and Linens
Yard Maintenance
24-Hour Emergency Call Service
24-hour Care Staff
Leisure Activities
Health Monitoring Programs
Fitness Programs
Home Maintenance/Repairs
Transportation (insurance, gas, repairs)
Total Monthly Costs
Finding Candidates
Ah, Google. There you will find more choices than you can imagine. Too many, really. So first narrow the field geographically, then by type of community (55+, CCRC, IL, AL, MC, SNF). Limit yourself to 3-4 candidates.
Touring
The adult child (or healthier spouse) is typically given the initial legwork. Tour no more than two communities in a day (or risk becoming overwhelmed).
On an initial tour, expect a lot of details. Take notes. But try to focus on the overall ambiance also. Begin to weigh value against cost.
If you like what you see and hear, return to your top two with your loved one for a more social tour. Revisit your preferred choices at different times of day on different days of the week.
Consider a trial stay to take Senior Living “for a spin and see how it feels.”
Compare & Contrast Senior Living Communities
(This needs to be formatted as a checklist with columns and blank lines; with MorningStar as one column)
In comparing one community to the next, consider these factors:
Age of building
Local or national owner/manager
Large, medium or small company (how many total properties?)
Your budget
Publicly or privately-owned company
Size of the facility itself
Has a Certified Executive Chef
Menu: varied, appealing, healthy
Common Areas (dining room, library, bistro, etc.)
Private Dining Room (for small parties)
Amenities
Friendliness and competence of staff
Wellness program (social, physical, spiritual, intellectual)
What’s included in the suite rental (housekeeping, maintenance, concierge and scheduled group transportation?
Does it feel like home?
Particular questions ________
Particular likes ________
Particular dislikes ________
Talk it Up
Speak with friends about Senior Living to glean from their experience and advice. Consult with trusted advisors: physician, attorney, stockbroker, pastor, in-home health providers and others who have already guided you through major life decisions.
Who Should Make the Decision?
This often comes down to a consensus among several family members. The senior him or herself, even if suffering from dementia, must be given a voice.
Afterall, we’re talking about their new home. Their new adventure. Yes, they may be losing some capabilities, but our human spirit craves dignity, independence and choice.
When It’s All Said and Done
In the end, don’t let the complexities of this decision mask the fact that your instincts are to be trusted. One place will just feel like home. And the staff will feel like family. You’ll know it straight away.
We hope that one place is MorningStar
