Old age certainly brings its share of challenges. One of them is relinquishing your independence. This is often a gradual process that may include giving up your driver’s license or moving closer to family. For many people, the process includes moving in with adult children. For others, it includes moving into an assisted living facility. The question is, however, how do you know if assisted living is right for you or your spouse, or when to make the transition?
According to one tally, there are approximately 29,000 assisted living facilities in the United States. In general, these facilities cater to adults who do not need the constant supervision offered in a nursing home but may need occasional help. Depending on their circumstances, residents may need help with daily living activities such as meal preparation, personal hygiene, and more. They may also need medical care.
Depending on the type of assisted living facility available, locally or regionally, you may have your choice of accommodations and amenities. These may include private apartments or shared rooms and private or communal dining, and various activities. With so many facilities to choose from, you will likely find one that suits you.
You may want to start thinking about moving to assisted living if:
- You are having trouble paying bills
- The mail is stacking up You can no longer do any yard work or outdoor maintenance
- You are having difficulty with routine household chores
- You no longer have healthy home meals on a regular basis
- You are no longer confident in your ability to drive safely
- You feel unsafe at home
- You struggle with feelings of loneliness, isolation, or depression
- Your health has declined
Moving into an assisted living facility is such an important decision and one you may not want to make on your own. It is recommended, however, that you talk it over with your family, and/or your doctor. You may also want to consult your financial adviser or banker. Better yet, consider chatting with experienced elder law attorneys. He or she can help identify the important legal considerations associated with this decision. Our office is happy to help. You may always call our office to arrange an appointment.
Article provided by Gregory Port, M.B.A., J.D., Founder of Port Legal, one of Ohio’s TOP Elder Law & Estate Planning law firms. Attorney Port and his firm are Members of the National ElderCare Matters Alliance and have a Featured Listing on ElderCareMatters.com– America’s National Directory of Elder Care / Senior Care Resources to help families plan for and deal with the issues of Aging.
If you have additional questions about your family’s Elder Care / Senior Care Matters, you can count on ElderCareMatters.com (America’s National Directory of Elder Care / Senior Care Resources) to help you find America’s Top Elder Care / Senior Care Professionals. You can find Local Elder Care / Senior Care Experts by Searching our National Database by City and Service Category. (This Search feature is located on the homepage of ElderCareMatters.com).
The Elder Care / Senior Care Experts who are found on ElderCareMatters.com can provide you with the help you need in a wide range of Elder Care / Senior Care Services, including Elder Law, Estate Planning, Home Care, Assisted Living, Care Management, Daily Money Management, Senior Living, Investment Advisory Services, Tax & Accounting Services, Wills & Trusts, Probate plus many other Elder Care Services.
We look forward to helping you plan for and deal with your family’s Issues of Aging.