When families and their elders choose an assisted living community, it
is a life-altering decision. Our professional staff understands how this
can be a difficult decision. However, we have come up with a list of five
common assisted living search mistakes to avoid at all costs. Hopefully,
by following these guidelines, this can improve your search for the best
facility for your loved one.
Common assisted living search mistakes to avoid include the following:
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Making a decision too quickly. There are many cases where a family is in such a rush to resolve their
elder loved one’s living situation that they choose the first open
room in the first facility they visit. We suggest that families visit
three communities at least before coming to a final decision.
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Not reading the fine print. While assisted living contracts are typically straightforward, they may
still contain confusing legalese or additional fees. Some families are
unprepared by the price increases or fees which may be stated in the contract.
If you want extra help looking over the contract, enlist the legal services
of a qualified elder attorney.
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Not choosing what the parent likes. Often the adult child decides which place they live the most instead of
considering what their loved one wants. We encourage families to get their
seniors as involved in the choosing process as much as possible. However,
if your loved one is too afflicted with memory loss or too frail to participate
in the search, think about their personality and preferences rather than your own.
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Not being realistic about current and future needs. It’s important to fully understand the specific needs and care your
loved one needs. Moving from one facility to another can be not only burdensome
for the elderly, but expensive for the family. Take a closer look at your
loved one’s heath concerns and ask the doctor what support they
require in the future.
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Judging a book by its cover. There are times when families believe a community is appropriate for their
loved ones since it has a high price and extravagant features, then learn
that their quality of care is not up to par. A beautiful and upscale facility
is still prone to oversights and issues as a community that doesn’t
have the same appeal. Before signing a long-term contract, consider staying
at the community on a temporary basis. Some communities even offer a no-cost
trial stay to prospective residents.
Hopefully, you don't make these mistakes when choosing the assisted
living community for your loved one. For more information about our exceptional
services, contact Mount Carmel Assisted Living today.