How to Reduce Your Anxiety When Choosing Assisted Living

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There are over 30,600 assisted living communities, with over 40% of these being independently owned. This equates to nearly 1.2 million licensed beds across the USA. From this number around 818,000 residents live in assisted living or similar care. Deciding to choose assisted living for yourself or a loved one can be a big decision. With this can come feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, and sadness. After all, it’s a big life change and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. If you’re feeling anxious about choosing assisted living for yourself or someone you know, this guide will give you some simple tips to consider to help ease your anxiety and make your final decision a confident one. Let’s take a look.

1. Involve your Loved Ones in the Decision

If you’re choosing an assisted living facility for a loved one, try to include them in the decision making. This will help with their overall mental health. Some of the ways you can help them feel included are to ask them about:

• The features they would like in their new home
• Any factors that would be considered dealbreakers
• How much independence they want to have or how much help they may require
• Which town or city they want to move to or how far away from you they want to be

These small things can make a big difference in helping to ease emotions and anxiety related to assisted living.

2. Educate Yourself On The Different Options Available

Assisted living facilities offer a range of services depending on the level of care a person needs. Some of the home options are:

• Nursing homes: These are for people who can no longer live at home and need additional help.
• Memory care homes: These are specifically designed to help those who may suffer from memory related illnesses.
• Assisted living households: These are for people who need assistance in their daily life and normal activities.
• Independent living homes: These homes are for those who are still independent in most of their life, but want to be in a community atmosphere with other seniors.

Each of these options provide different levels of care. It’s important to research your options to feel confident about the assisted living arrangements you make and how they can support the care that’s required.

3. Tour the Facility In Person

A lot of assisted living households like Longhouse Assisted Living and other providers offer tours to help give people a look at what they have to offer. Scheduling a visit to one of these facilities can help you get a feel for the overall environment, the residents already there, and the staff atmosphere. When visiting pay close attention to:

• The cleanliness of the facility: Is there dust across tables or windows? Are the toilets and bathrooms clean upon inspection? Are there signs of droppings from insects or rodents?
• The friendliness of staff: While you’re speaking to your tour guide, take note of how other staff members talk by saying hello to them. Ask your tour guide hard questions and see how they react to you. Observe how different staff members talk to one another if you’re within ears length. Are they talking negatively about others in their care? Are they hostile to one another?
• Group activities: Observe daily group activities to get a feel of the atmosphere. Is everyone laughing, having fun? Are there a variety of games or activities to help engage people?
• Talk To Other Residents: If you’re allowed to, talk to the other residents to see what they think of the facility.

Touring a facility helps you to ask the appropriate questions and see first hand how residents are being treated. This can help to lessen any doubt you may have on a facility.

4. Ask the Right Questions

When touring or speaking to a facility it’s important to ask the right questions to get some clarity. Some questions which should be asked include:

• How much does it cost to stay in the assisted living household?
• Do they have fully trained staff who understand your medical needs (dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease)?
• How do they care for people with these conditions or other chronic conditions?
• How often will care be provided throughout the day or night if required?
• Are there any additional fees for additional services?
• Do you accept long term or short term care?
• What qualifications do staff have?
• What meal options are available and do they cater for allergies?
• Can family members visit regularly or be updated on their care?
• What’s the complaint process incase of issues?
• How will complaints be treated?
• How do the staff help to ease anxiety for those entering assisted living in the early stages?

Asking the right questions can give you peace of mind. The more informed you are, the easier your decision will be.

5. Consider Financial Costs

The cost of an assisted living facility can cause major anxiety in some people. When deciding on assisted living, it’s important to consider:

• How much assisted living costs for the duration of the stay.
• Whether you need to pay all the costs up front or if there’s an option for payment plans.
• Are there other types of payment options that can be accepted (long term care insurance, medicaid or veterans benefits)?
• Compare the price vs the services they offer. Does it seem expensive against the level of care provided?
• Are you able to continually afford it on a payment plan over the duration of care?
• What happens when care ends, are there any lock in contracts?

Understanding the full cost and the terms and conditions of assisted living can help you make the right decision. Don’t be afraid to ask help from a financial advisor as well if you need additional support.

6. Trust Your Instincts

If you feel uneasy about a facility even though it offers many great benefits, it’s best not to go ahead with it. Deep down inside of you, you’ll know which facility is right for you or your loved ones. Trust your instincts to help guide you in the right direction.

7. Start The Process Early

If you have a loved one who is developing a serious medical condition which may require long term care in the future, it’s always best to start looking at options early. You don’t necessarily have to book anything straight away, it’s more about educating yourself early on, so if and when the time comes you and your loved ones are ready to make the final decision. Not only that, but it also helps to reduce your stress levels so you can spend more time enjoying quality time with your loved ones.

Final Thoughts on Choosing Assisted Living

Choosing assisted living doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It’s all about educating yourself and your loved ones on what’s available, what they have to offer, and the overall cost. During this journey don’t forget to take care of your mental health, support your loved one during their transition, and trust your instincts. Through it all you’ll be able to lessen your anxiety and make the right decision.