What’s the Best Way to Find the Right Assisted Living Facility?

News 19 Alabama’s recent article entitled “How To Choose the Right Assisted Living Facility,” provides some valuable tips for researching assisted living facilities and finding the best option for you:

Get recommendations. Ask friends, family and your doctor about assisted living facilities in the area and if they would recommend them. If someone you know lives in an assisted living facility, ask them how they like it, as their experience can provide insight into what facilities have the best reputation in your local area.

Consider your needs. Residents in assisted living facilities typically need assistance with some basic activities of daily living. This includes bathing, dressing, eating, and getting around. Some assisted living communities specialize in caring for people with specific conditions, such as Alzheimer’s. The level of care assisted living facilities offer can vary greatly, so consider how much assistance you require.

Consider the cost. Remember that Medicare doesn’t cover assisted living costs, which is why most people pay with private funds even though it’s expensive.

Consider location. A facility near friends and families is often the best choice. This lets residents receive lots of visitors. Employees will also see that the resident’s visitors scrutinize their care.

Ask questions. Before calling assisted living facilities, consider these questions:

How many residents live at the facility?
Are pets allowed?
What amenities are available to residents?
Are there personalized care plans for each resident?
How are additional services billed?
Are there doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, housekeepers, cooks, and activity directors on staff?
Does the facility run background checks on staff?
What happens if a resident’s health deteriorates and needs additional care or a hospital stay?
What safety features does each residential unit feature?
What is the staff-to-resident ratio during the day and at night?
What are the meals the facility serves?
Are all utilities included in the overall cost of a unit?

Take note when you visit. When you tour a facility, look at the cleanliness, activities, safety features, available common areas, the friendliness of the staff and how healthy and happy the residents appear.

Compare several facilities before you decide. Don’t just choose the first facility you visit. Instead, tour several facilities and compare them.

Carefully examine contracts. Read assisted living contracts from start to finish and look for unexpected fees or deposits. Yous should also pay attention to the rules regarding discharging or evicting a resident, late or missed payments and how the facility handles (or limits) your rights to file a lawsuit should there be an issue.

Reference: News 19 (May 14, 2023) “How To Choose the Right Assisted Living Facility”

Can Elder Financial Abuse Be Stopped?

The numbers are chilling. One in ten Americans age 60+ has experienced elder abuse. One of the most common forms of elder abuse is financial, says a recent article from Forbes titled “What Is Elder Financial Abuse—And How Do We Prevent It?”

Financial elder abuse is defined as when someone illegally or improperly uses an elderly person’s money for their own use. Elderly people are easy victims for obvious reasons. They may be mentally vulnerable, suffering from Alzheimer’s or other form of dementia. They may also be lonely and find the company of a new “friend” is so delightful that it impairs their judgement.

Financial elder abuse occurs most often from adult children, but also in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Be on the watch for those new friends who enter senior’s lives, especially if they seek to limit contact with family members.

Caregivers or nursing staff have access to resident’s possessions, including checkbooks, ATM cards and credit cards. Monitoring an aging parent’s bank accounts on a regular basis should be part of caregiving by adult children. Unusual transactions, large withdrawals or unlikely purchases by credit card should immediately be reported to their bank or credit card company.

Less obvious and harder to track, is when someone forces a nursing home resident to sign legal documents transferring ownership of homes, cars, bank accounts and even investment accounts. They may also be pressured into creating a new will.

Here are some red flags to watch for:

New names being added to bank accounts or on credit cards.
Finding unpaid bills, letters from collection agencies or past due notices from creditors, especially when the person has sufficient funds.
Relatives who suddenly show up and want to be involved with an aging senior, including estranged children.
The unexpected transfer of any kind of asset to someone who is not a family member.
Any change in habits concerning money, including someone who was never worried about money suddenly being concerned about paying bills.

The elderly are often scared to report being victimized. They may fear further loss of control over their lives or be embarrassed to have been scammed. If a caregiver is stealing, they may also be physically threatened, or frightened of losing their familiar care provider.

Talk to your estate planning attorney, speak with the local Adult Protective Services office, or contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline, if you are concerned about a loved one being financially exploited. If you believe a loved one is in physical danger, contact the local police. Don’t hesitate to ask for help.

Reference: Forbes (Nov. 9, 2021) “What Is Elder Financial Abuse—And How Do We Prevent It?”

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