Choosing Wisely

by Betty Mitchell RNBSN
Parish Nurse, Emmanuel Bethel Church, Royal Oak Michigan

When trying to decide if you or a family member might need assistance with their daily living activities, consideration of the appropriate facility becomes important. If you feel you can live alone, but need help with bathing, medications or meals, an assisted living facility might be the best option for you.

Assisted living combines housing, support services and health-care options that include independent living and personal care in a residential setting. Each assisted living community offers a variety of settings for a range of prices. Special services may have additional charges.

Visiting the various facilities in the area you want to live is important. You will be able to determine the quality of the care and options provided. Some facilities will provide services from independent living to nursing care. More specific questions to consider while visiting can be found at www.alfa.org/alfa/choosing_a_community1.asp .

You can plan to have a meal at the facility and observe how the staff interact with the residents. Talking to the residents or their families may give you additional insight. In addition to the extra care you would receive in an assisted living facility, there is the added bonus of being with other people and participating in activities provided. Each state has regulatory guidelines for assisted living residences. Ask to see the facility’s current state license.

Since cost is an important consideration in selecting any facility, do not hesitate to ask for written material that includes fees for services and how payments are made.

Once the difficult decision to relocate is made, most seniors manage quite well; and many do much better than before moving.