When families and their elders choose an assisted living community, it is a life-altering decision. Our professional staff understands how this can be a difficult decision. However, we have come up with a list of five common assisted living search mistakes to avoid at all costs. Hopefully, by following these guidelines, this can improve your search for the best facility for your loved one.

Common assisted living search mistakes to avoid include the following:

• Making a decision too quickly. There are many cases where a family is in such a rush to resolve their elder loved one’s living situation that they choose the first open room in the first facility they visit. We suggest that families visit three communities at least before coming to a final decision.
• Not reading the fine print. While assisted living contracts are typically straightforward, they may still contain confusing legalese or additional fees. Some families are unprepared by the price increases or fees which may be stated in the contract. If you want extra help looking over the contract, enlist the legal services of a qualified elder attorney.
• Not choosing what the parent likes. Often the adult child decides which place they live the most instead of considering what their loved one wants. We encourage families to get their seniors as involved in the choosing process as much as possible. However, if your loved one is too afflicted with memory loss or too frail to participate in the search, think about their personality and preferences rather than your own.
• Not being realistic about current and future needs. It’s important to fully understand the specific needs and care your loved one needs. Moving from one facility to another can be not only burdensome for the elderly, but expensive for the family. Take a closer look at your loved one’s heath concerns and ask the doctor what support they require in the future.
• Judging a book by its cover. There are times when families believe a community is appropriate for their loved ones since it has a high price and extravagant features, then learn that their quality of care is not up to par. A beautiful and upscale facility is still prone to oversights and issues as a community that doesn’t have the same appeal. Before signing a long-term contract, consider staying at the community on a temporary basis. Some communities even offer a no-cost trial stay to prospective residents.

Hopefully, you don't make these mistakes when choosing the assisted living community for your loved one. For more information about our exceptional services, contact Mount Carmel Assisted Living today.