How to Decide if an Assisted Living Facility Is a Good Fit
Author explains what you can and can’t expect out of these semi-independent senior living arrangements
For seniors who may benefit from round-the-clock help, but who aren’t entirely dependent, assisted living facilities are a likely fit. Nearly 40,000 facilities nationwide make up this parcel of the senior housing landscape, and they are generally regarded as a step between a nursing home and, say, an adult day care service. But no two are alike, says Paul Hogan, cofounder and CEO of Home Instead Senior Care, a global provider of non-medical senior care at home. While the facilities generally provide help with bathing and dressing if needed, in addition, some offer occupational therapy services, for example, or may have an exercise room available to residents. That’s why it’s important to talk with your parent early on about his or her preferences and visit several facilities before deciding which one—if any—is a good place for Mom or Dad to call home, says Hogan. In their recent book, Stages of Senior Care: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Best Decisions (McGraw-Hill 2009), Hogan and his wife, Lori, touch on the pros and cons of assisted living. U.S. News asked Hogan, who is well-versed in the care options available for seniors, for guidance on how to determine if assisted living is the right choice and how to pick the best facility.
For elder care information and assistance in the Northern CA area, visit www.seniorcareauthority.com.
A lot of people are getting confused with nursing home and assisted living facility. They are actually very different establishments but they also have similarities as well as differences. For one, both are very in demand right now. Many elderly people are seeking residences in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. This is because they are sure that they will be properly taken care of in either facility. Let us now take a look at the main differences between these two facilities.