If you have a loved one who needs to go into the care of an assisted living facility, you want to be sure that you choose a place that is best suited for his or her needs. Many families take a good amount of time to tour and interview assisted living facilities before making their choice. If you are in the process of doing this, there are a few things that you must know about assisted living. Here are four things you might not know that you should:
- Assisted Living Facilities Are Not Equal: All assisted living facilities specialize in different types of care. This means that you need to single out the ones that provide the care that your loved one needs specifically. Each community will have different licensing that allows them to provide different types of care. So, for example, if your loved one needs help eating, then you need to find a living facility that provides this kind of help. Some facilities will be limited in the amount of assistance that they provide, which allows their residents to live more independently while still having direct help from nurses in the case of an emergency.
- Pets Are Allowed: Your loved one may fear that once they are placed in the care of an assisted living facility, they will not be able to live the same as they do in their homes. This includes not being able to bring their beloved pets. However, this is not the case. Many assisted living facilities allow their residents to bring along their pets. Of course, there may be a pet policy that limits the amount of pets, the weight of the pet, and the breed type if your loved one has a dog.
- Costs Aren't That Expensive: Many families believe that an assisted living facility is out of the question because it is not affordable. However, if you take the time to do research, you will find that the cost of a living facility really isn't as expensive as you think. There are many low-income facilities that will help those families on a tight budget. Plus, if your loved one has long-term care insurance, then this is going to help cover the costs, as well.
- Diverse Options: Another reason your loved one may not be comfortable with going to an assisted living facility is because it will not meet their cultural or religious needs. However, there are plenty of diverse options that adhere to these needs. For example, there are Asian communities, Christian communities, and more that will help to make your loved one feel more comfortable with both the employees and their neighbors.
By knowing these four things about assisted living facilities, you and your loved one can become more comfortable with the idea of them moving into one. Your loved one will receive the care that they need while still being able to live as independently as possible.
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