In an Assisted Living facility, support is provided to individuals that still wish to live as independently as possible but also need a hand with certain daily life activities. Housekeeping, dressing, laundry, transportation and taking medications are a few examples; there are many ways in which assistance is generally provided. Prepare a list of specific daily life activities that you would like assistance with and inquire about the services offered by each residence that you are considering.
Do an Online Search
The term 'Assisted Living' refers more to the type of care than the type of facility and for that reason, a website search will be helpful in the process of narrowing down your options. Assisted Living facilities may be available in a single family home or an apartment building or an entire community. There are many online databases that you may use to search by location, city, province or postal code.
Quality of Care and Level of Service
The provinces vary in the level of services provided under the Assisted Living umbrella so look into whether the provincial government has established regulation or if there is a standard that assisted living providers are accountable to.
In the province of Ontario, look for ORCA - Ontario Retirement Communities Association. In the absence of government regulation, ORCA has set standards of excellence in order to receive accreditation as an ORCA residence. In being accredited the facility demonstrates their commitment to providing a high quality of service to residents, staff and the public. Complete information may be found on the ORCA website.
British Columbia is the first province in Canada to regulate assisted living residences and an Assisted Living Registrar protects the health and safety of seniors in Assisted Living residences under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act. More information about the Assisted Living Act may be found on the BC Government website.
Location and Amenities
Location will be important when choosing an Assisted Living residence and in your web search you will see many community planners have already thought of that with regard to amenities. You may want to be in the heart of the city where you're close to dining and shopping or you may rather live in a quiet community in a more rural setting. Being close to family may also be important to you so make a list of your location preferences to help in your decision-making process.
Visiting and Questions to Ask
Most seniors' communities welcome visitors; look beyond the physical structure and esthetics and arrange to visit for an afternoon or even as an overnight guest. In doing so, you'll get a better feel for the community and have the opportunity to ask questions. Take a list of questions with you on your visit; here are some suggestions of things to keep in mind:
• Talk with the residents about their feelings and opinions of the community and collect references from them as well; you may want to call family members for their feedback.
• Arrange for a dinnertime visit and ask for a tour of the kitchen and also for a menu.
• Inquire about safety standards and look at stairwells and less traveled areas of the building for maintenance and cleanliness.
• Ask about the activities available and whether there's a social director on staff, ask for a calendar or a newsletter that you can take with you.
• Ask about admission requirements and application paperwork.
• Ask about the daily or monthly rates and whether there are costs for additional services like cable and telephone.
• Inquire about the average rates over the last 5-year period and about how frequently they expect to increase the rates. How much advance notice must you
give if you decide to move?
Consider Hiring an Advisor or Consultant
There are many things to consider in making the move to an Assisted Living community and an advisor or consultant can help in covering all bases. This is a big step and the most important consideration should be given to ensuring your comfort and safety. Gather all the information you can with the focus on making this period of transition as smooth as possible.
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