How to Narrow Down Your Search for an Assisted Living Community

For anyone considering a move to senior living, choosing the right community is a big decision as getting it wrong may mean another move within a couple of months. To help, senior living experts say the first thing to do is to think about the level of care mom or dad, or if looking for yourself, needs to improve their quality of life. 

After you have a pretty good idea of what your needs are, now factor in things like location and affordability. If mom or dad needs help with the ADLs (activities of daily living) focus on communities offering assisted living. If you want the home to be a convenient drive for easy visiting, concentrate on those communities. If mom or dad no longer drives, look for a community offering transportation for doctor appointments or errands; or if they plan to bring a car, does it offer parking? Does the home offer 24/7 care, medication management and access to licensed nurses?

Obviously affordability is an important consideration but senior living advocates warn don’t be initially shocked at the price. Rather think about all of the living costs such as property taxes, maintenance, utility bills and meals included in the home’s monthly fees. For a better understanding of mom or dad’s assets, it may be worth your while to consult an Elder law attorney. They can explore various options such as eligibility for Veterans’ benefits, what your parent’s long-term care insurance will cover, and the advantages of leveraging real estate assets and life insurance, tax benefits and more.   

 

Other things to consider include the physical characteristics of the assisted living community. Does it offer a range of suite configurations including studio, one-bedroom and two bedroom options? Do you want amenities such as a fitness center, hair salon, outdoor patio, all-day, restaurant-style dining, swimming pool, WiFi, etc.? 

If you live around Peoria, AZ, why not take a look at MorningStar at Golden Ridge, a senior living community offering independent living, assisted living homes, memory care, companion living, and respite care. Our large 8.8 acre campus has 38 quadraplexes for active seniors and a main building with 65 assisted living suites for those requiring a helping hand with the activities of daily living (ADLs). For those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, we offer 35 suites.  Visit our website today to inquire about pricing and availability.