The goal of assisted living is to allow your parent or loved one to stay independent in a home-like setting. A quality assisted living facility can have a tremendous positive impact on your parents' mental, physical, and social well-being. But you need to find the right one.
The checklist below will guide you.
Find out the current costs of long-term care in your state
An important part of planning for long-term care is deciding how to pay for services. This is because long-term care is very expensive, and contrary to what many people believe, their Medicare coverage will not pay for most of the long-term care services they need. While some people may qualify for Medicaid — the major payer of long-term care services, most people won't.
There are other federal public programs, such as the Older American's Act, or state funded programs, that pay some long-term care services, but like Medicaid they target those people with the most functional and financial need. Consequently, if you are one of the 60% of people over the age of 65 who will need long-term care services — there's a very good chance you will have to pay for some or all of your long-term care services out of your personal income and resources.
Order your long-term care planning kit
The Own Your Future Planning Kit provides consumers with information about practical steps they can take to plan ahead for their long-term care needs. The Planning Guide is available at no cost to the consumer, and may be ordered or downloaded from this website.
Download AARP's Assisted Living Evaluation Checklist
Print a blank checklist for each facility you are considering. Complete it as you move through the selection process.
This checklist is provided to the family and prospective resident as a final tool once an assisted living residence has been chosen.
Use this as a reminder for issues that need to be addressed and fully understood.
Complete an assisted living cost checklist
The assisted living calculator provides help for estimating the monthly cost. Although residences charge different fees and provide a variety of different services, this list is provided to prompt the consumer to think about the financial costs and assist in planning for the future.
These are common concerns for older people. And, you may share an often-heard wish — "I want to stay in my own home!" The good news is that with the right help you might be able to do just that.
The primary purpose of this tool is to provide detailed information about the past performance of every Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing home in the country.
Connect with others in your situation
The Well Spouse Association was started in response to these words which appeared in the back of Maggie Strong’s book, Mainstay, in March, 1988. “National Well Spouses – We don’t exist, but why not? If such a group would interest you, send a postcard (no letters!) to National Well Spouses . . .” Our name has changed since then, but our mission remains the same.
Today, WSA has nearly 2000 members in all 50 states, Canada and abroad! Let others who have “been there and done that” help you face the challenges of long-term caregiving.
Understand Medicare Hospice Benefits
This is the official government booklet for Medicare hospice benefits. Choosing hospice care is a difficult decision. The information in this booklet and the support given by a doctor and a trained hospice care team can help you choose the most appropriate health care options for someone who is terminally ill.