Factors for You to Consider That Will Help You With Your Community Selection

It is helpful for you to do an honest assessment of your loved one’s circumstances in order to determine what exactly his or her needs are. Some factors to consider include:

• Realistic level of care needed, both currently and in the future. If possible, try to find a community that will meet the long-term needs of your loved one so another expensive and unpleasant move in the future is avoided.
• Who the person is now. It is easy for family members to want their loved one in a community/home that meets the needs of who the person was in the past. Not who they are now.
• Actual quality of the environment and care provided by the community. It is important to realize that a high price and fancy decor does not always mean high quality care.
• The actual needs and desires of your loved one. Family members may want one thing for their loved one when, in fact, the person who will be living in the community has different goals.
• Your need to know exactly what the costs will be. You do not want to have any surprises later by discovering that what you thought was an “all inclusive” price is actually a basic fee and everything else is added on.