Whether you’re in good health or dealing with a medical condition, do you have a plan of action if you suddenly needed help with your daily chores? For example, what if you fell and broke your hip and were unable to take care of yourself?
You also may have parents who need to find an assisted living facility as soon as possible to get them help for their daily activities. This can especially be a challenge if your parents are determined to live on their own – despite the reality of dealing with an injury or a health condition.
That’s why it’s a good idea to plan ahead and think about what steps you would take if your parents needed more care and support. In many cases, living at one of the assisted living facilities in NJ is the best option to meet their needs.
What is assisted living?
Senior assisted living facilities offer a level of care for seniors who need help with daily tasks such as cooking, doing laundry, bathing, washing dishes, taking medication, and other everyday chores. Residents usually have their own unit or apartment. Other services may include social activities, exercise programs, and emergency care.
Each state has their own rules and regulations for assisted living facilities, which are also known as board and care, residential care, or personal care. However, New Jersey senior living facilities are usually required to provide services such as:
- 24-hour staffing to assist residents as needed
- Meals and social activities
- Laundry and housekeeping
- Help with daily activities such as getting dressed and bathing
- Reminders and assistance to take medications
- Transportation
How to choose an assisted living facility
Here’s a quick list of questions to ask when evaluating senior living facilities:
- What level of care do you need? What activities do you need help with?
- How much will it cost to stay at the facility? It’s usually less than a nursing home, but it can still be costly.
- If you have long-term care insurance, does it cover this care?
- Is it near family or friends?
Research can also include reading websites and reviews, asking friends for recommendations, and visiting several senior facilities. You can also call your state’s long-term care ombudsman to check if anyone has recently filed complaints about the facility. Another option is calling the local Better Business Bureau.
Need some advice on assisted living facilities in NJ?
The Long-Term Living Association offers a free referral service to help you find the best care placement for a loved one. Certified Senior Advisor, Dina Frauwirth, can walk you through this process step by step. Even if you’re in a hurry, you can find the best care possible that’s within your budget and close to you.
From Crisis to Collected
Here are a few tips to help you find an assisted living facility as soon as possible:
- Do your research now when you have time. Then if you suddenly find yourself needing an assisted living facility, you won’t have to rush the process and settle for something that isn’t ideal for you or a loved one.
- Since there is a wide range of services offered by assisted living facilities, decide what level of service and setting you prefer.
- Make a list of questions so you don’t forget to ask about something when you visit a facility.
- Get referrals from friends, family members, and services as Adult Care Advisors.
The Long-Term Living Association (LTLA) has senior living facility placement specialists who are ready to help you get started with finding an assisted living facility. Their website is at longtermliving.org or you can call them at 1-800-868-1193 to set up an appointment.
Senior Living Facility Placement Specialist
Dina Frauwirth
