When you are considering a move to assisted living here are several more points for families to consider:

•Have a family meeting (adult children with or without parents) with a Geriatric Nurse Care Manager to explore the above three options. Work together to create a flexible, written plan for aged parents’ holistic well-being.
•Moving is a stressor on all ages, but even more so for an aged parent who has lived in the same house for decades. Be kind and considerate, but assertive, if needed, to do best thing for parents.
•A deep and very real fear of loss of control of own life is a tremendous obstacle to moving to new environment
The Search begins:
•Tour several facilities, take notes and do comparisons. Try to visualize your parent or yourself in the residence
•Be mindful of proximity to your home or work so that seeing your parent is made easier
• Trust your senses, feelings and your initial reaction to what you see, hear and smell
•Discuss whether your cognitive parent will be placed with persons with dementia. It is best not to comingle the two groups.
•Visit facilities during lunch to see how residents interact with staff and others. Also, is the food fresh and the right temperature?

•Does there seem to be adequate staffing?
•Is the kitchen clean and pantry well-stocked?
•Does the overall atmosphere seem pleasant? Cleanliness is essential!
•Are patients “parked” at nursing stations or in front of televisions with little or no interaction?
•Are pets allowed? Sometimes keeping a pet helps aged person adjust more quickly!
•Do residents appear to be clean, groomed and odor-free?
•Does the staff treat each other with respect?
•Meet the clinical director (not just the marketing person) and ask questions
•Make sure you understand levels of care available and what determines when your parent moves from one level of care to another (and the difference in cost!)
•What occurs in a medical emergency? Will you be the first to be called after 9-1-1?
•Talk to residents. Engage them about the care they receive and the activities they enjoy (or not).
•Ask for references—other families with parents there. They can get permission to give names.
•Ask to take home information on admission criteria and house rules
•Take the time to review materials and ask questions

Work with your Geriatric Nurse Care Manager every step of the process for her professional and practical input. She will know available facilities and will help you assess which residential community will best meet your parents’ needs as well as desires for a certain lifestyle as they age. Use your professional Geriatric Nurse Care Manager’s expertise