Assisted Living: What to Ask

So you’ve decided that an assisted living residence is the right choice for you or someone you care for. This checklist will help you choose the right residence to meet your needs. If you are still on the fence about it, you may want to read “Assisted Living: Weighing the Options.” Make a copy of this checklist for each of the residences you’re considering. It may make comparing them a little easier.

The Call Once you have a list of residences to visit, call each one. Think about what is important for you and your loved one: location, size, and types of services offerred. Bear in mind that the person you speak with will most likely be a marketing or sales representative whose job is to promote the residence.

Take this checklist with you as you compare different assisted living residences.

The Checklist This will help you compare residences. It’s a real challenge to choose a quality assisted living residence. Remember that it can be expensive and a long-term decision. If you’re searching out a unit for yourself, try not to make the visits and decisions alone. Talk with family members and friends. Learn as much as you can about assisted living and each of the residences you are considering. This will build the confidence and comfort level you’ll need to make the best choice.

The Visit Take along your checklist and some written questions for the staff when you visit. As you meet with them and tour a residence, pay close attention to how you feel and what is going on around you. Spend time with the staff and residents; ask them what they like and dislike about the place. It’s a good idea to visit more than once; an unscheduled visit on a weekend or in the evening might be very helpful in your decision making.

© 2003, 2004, 2007 AARP. Reprinting by permission only.