Top 5 Mistakes People Make When Choosing an Assisted Living Community

Mistake #1: They choose a community based on location.

People often move into previous homes based on price and location since that it largely just a "real estate" decision. However, choosing an assisted living or retirement community is much more of a lifestyle decision. While it is ideal if the best community is also the one that happens to be near a senior’s current home, other factors trump location. For example, does the community provide additional services on campus if the resident’s needs change? Does the day-to-day management staff truly care about the needs of its residents

Mistake #2: They think the move to an assisted living community is similar to past moves – it’s not.

Moves mainly happen when people are in a transition of some sort — downsizing when kids move out, a recent divorce or getting ready to start a family. The difference in a move to an assisted living community is much more emotional, says Blake Fail, President of Triad Senior Living. Seniors are reluctant to move not so much for the financial reasons that normally motivate a move in other stages of life, but more due to the overwhelming feelings involved.

Mistake #3: They don’t get to know their soon-to-be neighbors.

Since senior living offers a great social benefit, it is critical that prospective residents and their families really view and verify who their would-be neighbors will be if the community is selected. These will be the friends they will dine with every day, play bridge with and basically "live" with throughout their time at the community. It is critical to ensure that the folks who will have a big impact on the senior’s future are of a similar world-view and mindset to ensure everyone is in a comfortable setting for the long term after the adult children and movers have gone.

Mistake#4: They wait too long to move.

Unfortunately, the majority of seniors and their adult children (who oftentimes help influence the decision to move) wait until a medical event occurs before considering that Mom and/or Dad needs a different lifestyle. This can come in the form of a fall and hip break, an unexpected surgery and hospital stay or just the sudden realization that a parent has become far too dependent on others for help with the normal activities of daily living.

Mistake #5: They underestimate the importance of ethical management.

Seniors require more patience and more understanding than the average consumer. If a community is managed and run by a group whose only motivation is the bottom line (think larger, publicly traded companies who report to shareholders perhaps), how will they treat your Mom or Dad? The sales folks are all great at….selling. They will provide similar routines throughout that process but it is important to get to know the management company who will be the one to set a corporate culture in how residents and families are treated after the sale.

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E-mail:contact@imperial-living.com

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We are designed to allow our residents to live comfortably and provide increased care and services as their needs change throughout retirement.