When it’s time to consider assisted living – whether for yourself or for your loved one – there are many important factors to evaluate in a community. But many people aren’t sure what to look for to ensure a community is the best fit.

Here, we’ve compiled a list of questions to ask when looking for assisted living communities. These questions can help you determine what to look for in assisted living facilities and whether the community you’re considering is ideal for your family member’s needs.

Section 1 | Covering the Basics

These are vital questions to ask when considering assisted living facilities. The answers to these can help you quickly determine if a community is the right fit for your needs before diving further into the details.

Who qualifies for assisted living?

Whether you’re looking at assisted living for yourself or for a loved one, there are some things you’ll have to do before you can join a community. Older adults must undergo a comprehensive assessment by a nurse or social worker to determine eligibility for senior living.

The nurse assesses whether the individual can perform their activities of daily living (ADLs). Some of the most common ADLs they look at include:

• Remembering to take medication
• Moving from room to room safely
• Grooming themselves (brushing their teeth, hair, etc.)
• Getting on and off the toilet by themselves (also known as toileting)
• Showering and cleaning themselves
• Taking off and putting on clothes by themselves (dressing)
• Eating by themselves
• Keeping control of their bladder and bowel movements (continence)

If they’re unable to manage these essential tasks independently, then the social worker or nurse can guide you and your family toward the assisted living option that best fits your needs.

What are the different levels of assisted living you offer?

There are different levels of assisted living based on the level of assistance an individual needs with their ADLs.

• Level 1 means the individual needs a low level of care. They may need assistance with simple tasks, such as remembering to take medications or brush their teeth. However, they are otherwise relatively independent, aside from these occasional needs.

• Level 2 in assisted living is for individuals who need a moderate level of care. This means they can accomplish some of their typical ADLs but struggle with others. Most individuals in level 2 care need more physical help than those in level 1, but they can still participate in social activities independently.

• Level 3, also known as high-level care, is the last level of care in assisted living. These individuals require assistance with most physical tasks and with emotional and mental needs. Individuals in level 3 care typically have more than one caregiver supporting their needs.

What licenses, certifications or accreditations do you hold?

This is a crucial question to ask when finding the best assisted living facility for your loved one. Every community that offers assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing or personal care must be licensed in the state. However, licensing laws vary by state.

Suppose you want to view the assisted living regulations for a specific state. In that case, you can see the State Regulatory Resources website to find the requirements for an assisted living facility in your state to become licensed.

By asking about the additional certifications and accreditations they hold, you can quickly learn about the rigor of their standards of care, their commitment to memory programs and which leading medical organizations have approved their facility.

Facilities that hold these certifications are typically eager to display them for potential residents and their families. If they aren’t mentioned, don’t hesitate to ask.

Section 2 | Care Services & Regulations

A primary focus of assisted living communities is providing necessary health care to residents, whether that be minimal or higher levels of care. Because of this, you want to ensure that the care team is effective, efficient and skilled at their work. Here are some care and service questions to ask when looking for assisted living.

What is your caregiver-to-resident ratio?

This question helps you understand the level of attention you’re most likely to receive at the potential assisted living facility. When a nurse or caregiver has more residents to care for, they can easily become overworked, increasing the likelihood that some needs will go unmet.

You should also know that the resident-to-nurse ratio can vary between day and night shifts. This is because residents are asleep at night, reducing the need for active caregivers. When asked how many residents each caregiver supports, ask whether the number changes between day and night shifts and, if so, by how much.

Do you coordinate with outside health care providers (primary doctors, specialists, hospitals)?

If you see specialists or have a large medical team managing your care, this is a fundamental question to ask prospective assisted living facilities. You’ll want to understand how closely your community team will work with your established medical group and whether they can or will communicate directly with them.

Maintaining consistent contact with your providers helps your assisted living team track your needs and adjust your care plan accordingly.

How is medication administration documented and double-checked for accuracy?

Medication management is a significant aspect of assisted living, so tracking dosages and medication schedules is vital. Assisted living facilities should maintain thorough records of medication administration and a process for designated contacts/family members to request those records.

Suppose you don’t feel comfortable with the processes the potential assisted living community has in place for administering and documenting medications. In that case, it might be a sign to keep looking until you find a community with processes you trust.

Section 3 | Costs & Coverage

The costs for assisted living are constantly shifting; therefore, many communities will not list prices directly unless you’re ready to commit to an apartment. There are many reasons costs fluctuate, many of which are beyond the community’s control. There are still some financial questions that you should ask when touring a potential assisted living facility.

What goes into the cost of assisted living?

Asking what your housing fees cover is a great question. The answer helps you understand how much value the community places on amenities and services you’ll truly benefit from versus those you may not. You’ll see most of the community’s funding going into:

• Housekeeping
• Meals
• Care staff
• Housing
• Activities/amenities
• Security and support

Luxury assisted living facilities, such as Valage Senior Living, charge additional fees for premium amenities, including spas, gyms and movie theaters. You’ll need to decide whether you’d prefer these luxuries or pay less for a community with more standard amenities.

Can I get help with assisted living costs?

There are many programs available to help with assisted living costs. Many assisted living facilities can point you to available resources to help you secure the funding you need.

However, some assisted living facilities may not accept supplemental funding programs, especially in high-end communities. This leads us to our next question:

Do you accept Medicare and other supplemental payment programs?

Before you fall in love with a community, make sure you can afford the cost of living there long-term. If you need supplemental funding to do that, then it’s good to check with the community you’re looking at to make sure they accept funding from those programs before committing to living there.

Here is some additional information about covering the costs of your care and the different programs available:

• National Institute on Aging: Paying for Long-Term Care: This website provides an excellent overview of what to expect when finding resources to pay for long-term care.
• Find Local Medicare Providers: This resource helps you find and compare the prices of local providers who accept Medicare and other payment programs.
• SHIP: Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) that can help you make informed decisions about your Medicare coverage and find resources.
• AL Waiver Program: This waiver helps by waiving some of the costs of supportive and long-term care. While this program is specific to Nevada, every state should have a similar program to help its older residents cover the costs of care.

Section 4 | Family Connection & Communication

These questions are vital if you are a family seeking the best assisted living facility for your loved one or if you are wondering how involved you can be when moving your loved one into such a community.

Assisted living facilities have to balance resident safety with family connection, which can be challenging. Seeing how they strike that balance is key for many seeking the best assisted living community for their needs.

How do you support the families of your residents?

Many assisted living teams like the one at Valage have seen families struggle when their loved one’s needs change. Whether that’s additional financial assistance, evolving medical needs or a change in communities, families will need support as they find the proper care and resources.

All assisted living communities should have a care coordination team available to provide families with information, tools and resources. However, some communities will have additional resources available to families, ensuring they can be as successful as residents. Some resources include:

• Regular updates on community events and happenings
• Courses and information seminars on a variety of helpful and relevant topics
• Support groups and counseling
• Help with hospice and end-of-life care

What are your procedures and policies on family visits?

Family visitation policies are essential not only when family members are visiting, but also when other residents are present. The answer to this question can help you understand:

• How late you can expect families to be visiting
• Are family visits allowed in personal apartments, or are they restricted to common areas away from other residents’ rooms?
• How the assisted living staff keep the building secure when family members are visiting

Are private spaces available for family gatherings or overnight visits?

If you enjoy peace and quiet, this is an important question to ask when considering assisted living. This way, you know whether you can have privacy when family members are visiting for the day or if you can still enjoy the common areas in peace while someone else’s family members are visiting.

For overnight stays, you can learn how your potential assisted living facility keeps residents safe while family members are present (if permitted). And if you suspect family members will stay with you, then you can learn what rules you need to follow for them to do so without disturbing other residents.

Section 5 | Lifestyle & Personalization

Every resident has their own distinct style, personality and life outside of assisted living. These questions are great at determining your individual freedoms and choices when moving into a particular assisted living community.

Can I bring my pet?

For some, their furry friends are more like family, and it’s hard to find a new home for them when you move into assisted living. However, some assisted living communities, such as Valage, are pet-friendly, allowing residents to keep their pets in their rooms.

At Valage, we have a private dog park where you and your pet can enjoy off-leash time outdoors. It is regularly cleaned and maintained by staff so you can focus on enjoying the day with your four-legged best friend.

How do you cater to dietary restrictions and allergies?

The culinary staff at an assisted living community must balance a lot. Their job includes:

• Creating diverse meal plans
• Accommodating those with food allergies and dietary restrictions
• Feeding a large group of people multiple times a day
• Keeping track of inventory
• Finding the best prices for high-quality food
• Following FDA regulations for keeping the kitchen clean and safe

Many teams do an exceptional job, but if you have a food allergy or dietary restriction, understanding how they accommodate you can impact whether a community is the right fit for you. This can answer questions like:

• Do they create special menus for those with dietary restrictions, or do they simply remove problematic ingredients from a pre-established menu?
• If there is a special event, will they accommodate your needs, or will you have to go without (or bring your own food)?
• Will you have the same amount of variety as those without restrictions? Or will your menu be more limited?
• How thorough is their cleaning process to prevent cross-contamination?

What kind of storage space is available for my belongings?

Almost all residents have to downsize before moving into assisted living. However, there are some items that they still need to store. These can include:

• Holiday decorations
• Seasonal clothing
• Documents
• Sentimental keepsakes
• Sports equipment

It’s essential to know how much storage will be available in your space. You’ll need to consider your inventory levels and whether the risk of insufficient storage will affect your living at that community.

Find the Answers You Need

Each assisted living community has its own approach, so it’s essential to find the one that best aligns with your needs and preferences. If you have questions about finding the right assisted living facility or would like to learn more about Valage Senior Living at Carson Valley, we encourage you to reach out!

You can reach our team at 775-413-2248 or by email with questions. You can also schedule a tour. When you come in for your visit, be sure to bring these essential questions so you can be confident the community truly meets your expectations and needs. Our team will be happy to provide the answers you need to determine if Valage is right for you.