Assessing Assisted Living Facilities
Watching the health of your parents decline is a challenge for them and for you. Your parent may suffer a fall, illness, or injury that causes them to need help and support, or they may have a condition which slowly erodes their ability to live independently.
When a loved one enters a stage where they require some assistance with activities of daily living like safely bathing, getting dressed, or managing their medications, there are ways they can still maintain their independence. Sometimes family members, friends, and neighbors can step in to help. Professional in-home care can meet the medical care needs, but staying at home and “aging in place” can lead to isolation and loneliness. In these instances, an assisted living community may be the right option. These communities provide residents with nutritious meals, medication management, personal care assistance, and increased social opportunities.
Not all Assisted Living communities provide the same levels of care. Therefore, research is essential to select the best option for your loved ones.
What Types of Communities are Available Near Me?
Choosing an assisted living community should be done with care. In the Dallas area, you will find everything from large apartment complex-style communities with 60 or more residents, or cottage or “neighborhood” communities with up to 16 residents, to residential care homes with 6 – 12 people living in private or shared bedrooms.
Assisted Living Communities also range in monthly cost. Most have a basic monthly charge that covers room & board, housekeeping, transportation, and social activities. A Level of Care fee is then often assessed based on the amount of personal care assistance required. The average monthly base cost for Assisted Living in Dallas, Texas is $4,195, but depending on the size of the apartment and the care needed, monthly costs can top $10,000.
Who Regulates the Assisted Living Facility?
Assisted living communities are regulated by a host of federal and state laws. They must meet certain standards or risk losing their operating licenses. In Texas, Assisted Living Communities are regulated by the Texas Department of Health & Human Services. The Department maintains a database with information about each community. Searching by zip code is a great way to start.
We have created a helpful video demonstrating how to use the Texas Department of Health & Human Services Provider Directory. Check out the Don’t Put the Cart Before the Horse video series on the McNair Dallas Law YouTube page.
Despite these regulations, it is wise for family members to continue to be involved with their loved ones after they move into an assisted living facility, to ensure that appropriate care is being provided.
What Questions Should You Ask?
Onsite visits are important when it comes to vetting a community. Talking with staff, current residents and their families will show how well the facility is run.
If you can tour the facility, be sure to visit over a mealtime. Taste the food served to the residents. Breathe in the smells. Watch how the staff treats the residents. Are they kind and caring? Listen to the sounds. Are there loud beepers, buzzers and announcements?
- Ask for a copy of the contract and fee schedules. You will want to review these contracts carefully. If they refuse to share a contract with you, find another facility.
- What are the costs? How are level of care charges calculated, and how often are they adjusted?
- What is the ratio of staff to residents? Do they run employee background checks and drug testing, when hiring and randomly thereafter? Are there training manuals and is on-going training conducted?
- How is the facility prepared for medical emergencies? Is there a nurse onsite at all times and is a doctor on call? How far is the nearest hospital?
- What is the “culture” of the community? Do residents have freedom of choice, or does the activities schedule look limited? Request copies of activity schedules or a newsletter.
- Talk to residents and their family members for candid “insider” information from those already part of the community.
Planning for the Future
Find out what types of care needs would exceed the Assisted Living community’s abilities. Are they able to serve residents with memory impairment, wandering, aggressive behavior, or other specialized needs. Find out if a change in the level of care needed would necessitate a move to a different floor or wing. Like Goldilocks, you need to evaluate a variety of senior living arrangements to find one that fits just right.
If you need further information about how to pay for care, check out our Masterclass: How to Pay for Care Without Going Bankrupt.
Our Don’t Put the Cart Before the Horse video series may help you determine the level of care needed, and help you find the right care provider. You can also learn more on our website: McNair-DallasLaw.com.
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