Assisted Living Frequently Asked Questions » Getting started
How do you go about making a decision about where to move?
Having someone listen first to your specific needs and preferences is important. Working with a professional who can ask you questions to better assist you in making decisions will be helpful to your situation.
Meeting with a Referral Agent to focus your search will save you immesurable time and stress. Referral & Placement Agencies
The Referral Agent will likely help you focus your search on three options which best meet your needs. The next step is to visit each community. Every Retirement & Assisted Living community has their own personality. You may be able to sense which one would and which one may not be a good fit shortly after entering the building.
First impressions are important, but paying a return or multiple visits to your top two choices is also helpful. Meeting with a Marketing or Admissions person will help answer your questions about rates and services, but the only way you will get to know a community is by paying additional, unannounced visits. It is also helpful to ask to have a meal with a current resident or a group of residents. If anyone can tell you what life is like within this retirement or assisted living community, it's the current residents. This will also give you an opportunity to begin to get to know other people living in the senior community.
Ultimately, your list will come down to one or two options. The third option is to do nothing and to leave things as they are. The downside to procrastinating is that you aren't taking the steps to downsize and to remain in control of your future. If you're contemplating a move, simply because the majority of people delay a move, then it's likely that a move is already past due.
It is very common to hear people living in senior communities to say, "If I would have known, I would have or should have moved here years ago."
For assistance with arranging for in-home care or for help choosing a senior housing or care community call CHOICE at 800-361-0138.
Last update: 2007-03-23 15:26
Author: Support
Revision: 1.1
