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1. What do we mean by assisted living?

Assisted living is simply finding help in the form of a care giver or a family member assigned to assist an elder who with illness or diminished mental ability is no longer capable of living an independent life. Depending as to the circumstances involved, an elder may also be sent to a nursing home or a community of professionals wherein she can be well taken care of.

As an elder, know how to decide between assisted living in your children's home or in a residential home. Ask these questions:

- Is there a spare room available for you?
- Is your lifestyle and the lifestyle of your children compatible?
- Does your children really do want you stay with them? Or are they obligated to take you in?
- Will they be able to provide you with all the care you need?
- Will my presence in their home interfere with them providing for the needs of their own children?
- Can I be of help to my children rather than a burden?
- Do I have resources so that I can afford living in residential care?

2. How to choose the right nursing home for you:

- Consider how much care you need.
- Get referrals from friends and relatives.
- Make a list of all the referrals and visit each one.
- Make sure that the location is near the home of the person that you have chosen and assigned to manage your dealings when you can not.
- Inspect the facilities and the grounds of the home; make sure that it is well maintained and preserved.
- It is best to review a home without any appointment. Just drop by and have a look at everything.
- Are the residents in the home happy, friendly and contented?
- Scrutinize all the rooms, even the ones that they don*t lead you to.
- Request their latest newsletter to see what activities they have that might interest you.
- Inquire and find out how they hire their employees and staff.
- Ask for a written description of the care that they offer and how much do they ask for all their services.
- Ask if they could let you stay for two or three nights so you can get a feel for the place. While you are there, talk to at least three residents and get their opinion on the place.

How to decide if you or a relative is a candidate for assisted living can be easy. It all starts with taking a realistic and a sensible look at your financial status. Four years from now, will you still be able to afford assisted living? Years from now, expenses as well as your medical needs will increase. Will your assets cover everything? Next, carefully weigh the method that a facility cares for their elders. Is the facility caring and sensitive enough in addressing to your loved one's needs? After you cover these two basics, the rest is up to you.

While determining your own care may be straightforward, you should take additional matters into consideration when providing care for a relative. Be certain that it is clear to them what the facility can as well as can not do. Be sure that the facility should help you look for other ways to provide care in case they are unable to provide support for residents with disorders or disabilities. Consider Section 202 housing if your relative has low income. Put their name on the waiting list at a facility located in your area. Will assisted living improve the quality of life of your loved one, impart camaraderie, and provide plenty of activities to keep them in good health?

3. What questions should you ask yourself when choosing an assisted care facility for your loved one?

- Is the management of the facility experienced?
- Are the residents and their families happy and contented?
- What is the ratio of the staff to residents?
- Does the staff express concern to all the residents? Are they friendly and caring?
- Is there a sincere concern and reverence to the elders?
- Is the facility hygienic and comfortable?
- Do they serve a well balanced meal? Are the meals tempting and attractive?
- Do they offer health and wellness services?
- What are the activities planned for the residents?
- Will your relative like their activities?
- Will your relative like and enjoy the daily life offered in this facility as compared to other options?
- Do the services that they offer as well as the living quality of the facility live up to your standard?
- Does the facilities standards and services worth the cost?
- Is this the type of place that children would love to pay a visit?
- Is the location accessible and convenient enough for family and friends to visit?