Top 5 Mistakes People Make When Choosing an Assisted Living Community

1
Top 5 Mistakes People Make When Choosing an
Assisted Living Community
2
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 seniors current home, other
factors trump location. For example, does the
community provide additional services on campus
if the residents needs change? Does the
day-to-day management staff truly care about the
needs of its residents? Is the community fairly
priced at rates within the seniors unique budget
and financial situation? Are the amenities
offered included in the rent or are these extra
expenses going to add up and significantly impact
finances on down the road? These answers and
other factors become much more important that
merely the location of a community as the best
fit for the long term.
3
Mistake 2 They think the move to an assisted
living community is similar to past moves its
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.
Although their physical and life circumstances
may be changing rapidly, he adds, seniors have a
desire to slow this process down in an effort to
maintain control just like the rest of us.
4
Mistake 3 They dont 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 seniors 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.
5
Mistake4 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. Much of the time, a
senior will say Im not ready yet but this begs
the question, when is the right time to make a
move that will make things so much easier and
more comfortable?
6
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.
7
Contact
Us 2751 NE 183rd St. Aventura, FL 33160 Call us
at [phone] Private tours are available
Monday through Friday 900am-500 pm and on
evenings or weekends by appointment. You may
also e-mail us at contact_at_imperial-living.com Plea
se Visit Us http//www.imperial-living.com/