Nursing homes and assisted living facilities offer a valuable service to seniors and their loved ones. However, not every facility is right for every patient, and finding the right match is an essential step for ensuring proper care and comfort. Whether you’re looking for a short-term care facility or need a space for long-term assisted living, you’ll need to put in some work to find the right fit for you or your loved one.

Universal Medical Data wants to give you a guide you can use to assess and compare options and find the facility that’s right for your needs. Here are some questions you can ask yourself, your doctor, and potential facilities to ensure you find the right fit.

What Is Your Budget?

Finances are a great starting point when it comes to searching for assisted living, as they can help you narrow down the options to the facilities that suit your budget. Start by taking a look at your own (or your loved one’s) retirement savings. If math and finances aren’t your strong suit, reach out to a financial advisor. They can help you figure out how much you can afford.

If you need long-term care and money is tight, it may make sense to sell your or your loved one’s home. Research home prices in your area (homes in Minneapolis sell for an average of $300K) to get an idea of how much you can expect to make from the sale. If they own their home outright, you can get a substantial nest egg to cover the costs of care long-term.

Consider Your Needs

After the budget, take some time to think about what kind of care you or your loved one will need in assisted living. For example, if you’re dealing with memory loss, you may need to choose a facility that has specialized memory care. This will help ensure you can live safely, as well as get the therapy and care you need to stay mentally fit. This is a great question to bring to your medical provider; they can walk you through what kind of features you should be looking for.

If you don’t currently have any specific needs other than access to care and a safe environment, consider choosing a facility with flexible care levels. This can help ensure stability since, if you wind up needing more — or specialized — care down the road, you’ll be able to get it in a familiar environment. It’s distressing to be uprooted when your needs increase, and choosing a facility that can grow with you can ensure you avoid that situation.

Start Touring Before It’s Needed

If possible, start taking a look through your options and going on tours well before you actually need assisted living — even if you’re not sure you ever will. This is valuable for several reasons. First and foremost, if you have a location already picked out, you can make sure you’re safe if an urgent need suddenly arises. The peace of mind you’ll have from knowing this matter is settled is worth your time. Moreover, needing assisted living can be emotionally trying. It’s hard to accept help when you need it most, but easier when it’s in the abstract. Researching your options when you don’t have any pressing concerns or your timeline gives you the time and space you need to make an objective decision.

Your golden years should be your chance to relax, pursue your passions, and live comfortably and safely. Assisted living allows you or your loved one to do so with easy access to the care they need to thrive. We hope this article helps you find your perfect fit.

Would you or your loved one be safer with a medical ID or accessory? If so, take a look at the Universal Medical Data shop today.

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