Choosing An Assisted Living Facility Suitable To Your Needs: Three Questions To Ask Before Moving In
As you get older, you might want to find a place to live where you would be able to get more assistance should you ever need it. In most situations, an assisted living facility will be cheaper than a nursing home. You'll also have more freedom and control over your daily affairs. The average cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment is approximately $3,300 per month. Keep in mind that many additional services are included in that quote. If you're interested in moving into an assisted living facility, here are 3 questions you should ask when determining which facility works best for your needs and expectations.
Whether There Is an Additional Cost for Extra Daily Assistance
Seniors move into assisted living facilities for an array of different reasons. Some would appreciate living in a community with people that are in similar situations, whereas others might benefit from the additional assistance that staff members are able to provide. This is especially true for those who may be struggling to keep up physically. It's vital to fully understand the type of services that are offered by each assisted living facility and to determine whether these services are already included in the quoted cost.
If your health has been declining and you need extra assistance, like extra housekeeping done or a staff member to help you bathe on a regular basis, it is wise to inquire whether you'd be charged an extra fee for these services.
Whether There are Restrictions and Limitations on Visiting Hours and Guests Staying Over
Even after moving into an assisted living facility, there's a good chance that you'll still want to socialize with your old friends and have your family members come over to spend some time with you. One of the most important factors to consider is whether the assisted living facility has placed any restrictions or limitations on the visiting hours or whether guests are able to stay the night. For security reasons, some facilities may not allow visitors to enter the building after a certain hour. If there are restrictions or limitations in place, double check to make sure the rules won't interfere with your quality of living.
In addition to inquiring about visitors, you might also want to ask whether you are allowed to bring your pets with you. Some assisted living facilities have placed restrictions on either the amount of pets that residents can bring with them or the type of pets that are deemed suitable. Some assisted living facilities also place restrictions on whether guests and visitors of residents are able to bring pets along for their visit as well.
Whether You Have the Ability to Change Your Living Space as You Desire
Although the assisted living facility will want you to be able to live as comfortably as possible, there may also be rules or guidelines in place in regards to what you can and cannot do with your own living space. For example, while you might be able to paint the walls of the room any color that you'd like, the facility might not allow you to install shelves on the walls without their permission. Before you decide whether or not to move in, check to see how much freedom you have over your own living space.
Some facilities will allow you to do whatever you please with your own living space; however, they might charge an extra fee after you move out to alter the room back to its original state and condition.
Conclusion
Moving into an assisted living facility can be a fun adventure and experience. These facilities often offer all of the services that you need in one place. In addition, you'll find many people in a similar situation as you living there, and it might be a lot easier and more fun to spend time socializing with other seniors who have a lot of time on their hands. As various assisted living facilities have opened up all over the country in the past several years, it's a good idea to check what each facility can offer before making a decision regarding where you'd like to move to. Visit the facility to get a good idea of the type of community that the facility can provide and to figure out whether you'd be comfortable and happy living there.
For more information, contact a professional in your area or visit a website like http://www.graceseniorcommunity.com.