How to Decide Between Assisted Living Options in Glendale, WI
To decide between assisted living options, seniors and their families need to ask plenty of questions about the communities they're considering. It's important to consider a variety of factors, including staffing, costs, amenities, and services, before making a final decision.
In the United States, assisted living is a common housing option for seniors, with close to 1.4% of seniors in the country living in assisted living communities. It's also a common option for seniors who live in Glendale, the northern suburb of Milwaukee, WI.
How Do You Know It's Time for Assisted Living?
There's no specific age when assisted living becomes necessary for a senior, and the need for it will need to be determined on an individual basis. A senior may be in need of assisted living if they have sharply declined physically or mentally and now have trouble taking care of daily needs on their own.
A senior who is in need of an assisted living community may have trouble with personal care needs, such as bathing and dressing themselves. They may also have a difficult time cleaning, cooking, or performing other household tasks.
A senior who's ready for assisted living may also have mobility difficulties and could be prone to slips and falls. They may have minor memory problems or get confused regularly.
What Questions Should You Ask When Selecting an Assisted Living Community?
When choosing senior care, it's important to ask plenty of questions and to get a clear idea of what to expect from the community. Talk to staff and learn everything you can from them, and be sure to visit the community in person to get a better idea of what it has to offer. Some key questions you may want to ask include:
- What is the staff-to-resident ratio?
- What meals are included, and what dining options are available?
- What is the monthly fee?
- What services and amenities are included?
- How does the community handle emergency situations?
You should learn how the community operates and should get a clear indication of what kind of care and services you or your loved one will have access to. One of the most important things to ask is what training the staff has and what the staff-to-resident ratio will be.
Be sure that you understand exactly what services the community provides, what the costs will be, what is included, and how the senior will spend their everyday life. You should understand the safety and emergency plans the community has as well.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Assisted Living in Glendale, WI
There are a lot of factors that you should consider when evaluating senior housing. It's important to think about your budget carefully and to have an idea of how you'll pay for assisted living. You should carefully look over the contract to ensure that you fully understand everything that you'll get from the community.
It's also a good idea to think carefully about a community's location as well. It can be useful to ensure that the community is located close to family members as well as other resources that the senior may need.
Finally, make sure that you know exactly what types of services, amenities, and activities will be available. A great community will offer excellent amenities and services that will make a senior's life easier, and they should be able to get help with various tasks such as taking medications, bathing, and more. Great meal options and services will also be very beneficial for seniors in assisted living in Wisconsin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Not a Good Candidate for Assisted Living?
Not everyone is a good candidate for assisted living. While seniors in assisted living communities tend to have limited mobility, those with extensive mobility issues may not be suitable for assisted living. If a senior is bedridden, they'll need a higher level of care than assisted living can provide.
Assisted living also isn't for seniors who are a danger to themselves or others or who have more extensive medical needs. Seniors with extensive memory loss or conditions such as Alzheimer's would be better served by memory care plans for older adults than by assisted living. Remember that there are various senior living options available, so ensure that you choose one that is right for a senior's individual needs.
How Is Most Assisted Living Care Usually Paid For?
Generally speaking, most assisted living care is paid for by private funding such as income, savings, investments, or home equity from selling a home or a reverse mortgage. Funds could also come from retirement accounts. Funding could come from the seniors themselves or from family members who are helping pay for assisted living costs.
In some cases, other types of funding can be used as well. For example, long-term care insurance is one option that can help cover assisted living costs for a senior. Some families may want to investigate various loan options if needed as well.
What Are the Different Types of Assisted Living Communities?
Although assisted living is one living option that certain seniors can make use of, there are other senior living options as well. Some seniors who have experienced significant cognitive decline and suffer from conditions such as Alzheimer's may require memory care instead.
On the other hand, seniors who can take care of themselves and don't need much assistance may be better suited for an independent living community.
Choosing Between Assisted Living Options
If you're exploring assisted living options, it's important to think carefully about your final decision. Be sure to consider a variety of factors, including staffing, costs, amenities, and aging support services, when making your choice.
If you're looking for a high-quality assisted living community in Wisconsin, consider Discovery Commons North Shore. With plenty of amenities, excellent floor plans, and both assisted living and memory care options, we offer the very best for seniors in Glendale, WI.
Looking for more information on assisted living? Reach out to us now to learn more about making the move to Discovery Commons North Shore.