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Frequently Asked Questions about Assisted Living Communities

If your aging parent is no longer able to live alone, you might consider moving them to an assisted living community. But, where do you start? What questions should you ask? Gaining a better understanding about assisted living can help make the decision easier for you and your loved one. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about assisted living and also see our ‘Important Questions To Ask When Looking For Assisted Living‘ for a more complete list of questions to ask.

Q: Can you bring your own furniture?
A: Many assisted living communities will let you bring your own furniture so you’re able to make it feel like “home.” Some communities also offer storage space.

Q: Are residents able to drive?
A: Transportation for programs is available for residents to use in many communities. But, almost all communities offer residents parking spaces or shelters. Residents may drive whenever they wish, if they’re still able to.

Q: Is smoking or drinking allowed?
A: Depending on the assisted living community, residents can smoke in designated public places. Residents can drink in their residence. Alcoholic beverages may also be available for sale in communities that have bars.

Q: Will family and friends be able to visit?
A: Visitors are welcome at any time. There are a variety of programs, meals and activities where visitors are encouraged to participate with their loved one!

Q: What if residents want to sleep in or change their morning schedule?
A: Each resident has a personal care plan that details a certain time to help them get dressed or take medication. Usually their awakened by the doorbell or a knock, unless they let staff know beforehand they want to sleep in.

Q: How do you know much care is needed?
A: Upon move-in, nurses will assess your loved one’s personal care and service needs, obtain an updated medical evaluation form from their doctor and review medical history to see how to best tailor services to fit their needs. A nurse will also discuss with them their preferences, such as specific foods they dislike or may be allergic to, as well as any normal routines, such as the time they start their day. This will help to develop a personal care plan.

Q: How does the dining program work?
A: In most assisted living communities, they serve three meals a day with multiple options at each meal. Restaurant-style food is served, so residents don’t have to get up and down to get their food. Visiting guests are welcome to order meals as well to dine with residents. They may also have the option to cook in their own residence, and have one or two meals a day with the dinning program.

Q: Does everyone feel welcome? How do they make friends?
A: Staff members receive training in how to make residents feel at home. They introduce residents to each other and suggest programs that may be of interest them. There is an activity calendar each month with a variety of activities that residents can choose from.

Q: Are residents allowed to be alone?
A: Residents don’t have to be around other people if they don’t want to. They’re able to cook and eat in their apartment, so you they don’t have to go to the dining room. Also, they can participate in their regular hobbies, such a sewing, reading or crossword puzzles at home.

Q: What happens when someone gets sick?
A: There are alert signals in each apartment. Each individual care plans includes a provision where staff will check on residents if they don’t hear or see them within a certain period. Residents are also able to see their regular doctor; however, there is always a nurse on call who can help.

Q: What services are included in the monthly rate?
A: Most communities include the following:

  • Three healthy, delicious meals in the dining room every day
  • Regular wellness, social and spiritual events and programs
  • Housekeeping and personal laundry services
  • Coordinating with the resident’s personal physician
  • Medication management
  • 24-hour security.

Q: Is there an option for a trial period?
A: Several assisted living communities offer respite stays, which are short-term stays to sample the lifestyle on an assisted living community before you decide. They’ll receive the same type of services they would receive as if they were a resident.

Q: How much does it cost?
A: Many states offer Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income to help with costs. Long-term care insurance is also available. For most people who own or have some equity in their home, the cost is easily affordable. There are a variety of resources available to help with assisted living costs.

If you do your research and plan ahead, you’ll be able to find the right community for your loved one.

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Are you considering assisted living for yourself or a loved one but are hesitant about the cost? Assisted living costs, services and amenities vary greatly among the last and most expensive communities, and costs are higher in some states than others.

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Does your loved one need more support than what they are getting? Would they benefit from some assistance with daily activities?

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Where do you start searching for assisted living or memory care communities?

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Has your dad stopped getting together for lunches or outings with friends or visits with neighbors? Have you stopped enjoying time with your parents because you’re a caregiver?

Choosing an assisted living community is a big decision. Learn how to find the right one for you and your loved one.

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Moving to assisted living is a life-changing event.

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Have you had to cut back your hours at work to care for your mom? Are you worried about administering medications or injections?

Have you stopped getting together with friends, either because you don’t have the time or you’re too exhausted? Are you becoming the invisible second patient?

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A Guide to the Most Common Family Caregiver Challenges Associated with Caring for an Aging Parent.

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In this guide, you’ll learn about the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, including the early symptoms of dementia; the seven stages of dementia and the symptoms that typically accompany each one; and the signs it’s time to start exploring your memory care options.

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In this guide, you’ll learn about the difference between assisted living and memory care, how health care professionals are trained in dementia care, common features of a memory care community, and questions you should ask when exploring your memory care options.

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Assisted living can be a touchy subject. No matter how you approach it, your parent is likely to have objections to something.

As you help them transition to a new stage of life, it helps to be prepared with answers to their questions and concerns.

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This checklist will help to make sure you are getting the most out of your visit to The Arbors.

The list details what important questions to ask during your visit so you are able to make an enlightened choice and find the best assisted living community for your needs.

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If you’re unsure what Assisted Living looks like in real life, whether there is a difference with nursing homes or a desire to see how community life unfolds, then this guide is exactly what you need.

A guide to discover the Care Team and a Typical Day in Assisted Living.

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-How to Choose the Right Assisted Living Community: What You Need to Know Before You Begin Your SearchHave you decided that assisted living is the best option for your elderly parent, and now are feeling overwhelmed on how to begin your search for the right community?

This guide will go over what you need to know before you make a decision.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Assisted Living Costs and AffordabilityAre you considering assisted living for yourself or a loved one but are hesitant about the cost? Assisted living costs, services and amenities vary greatly among the last and most expensive communities, and costs are higher in some states than others.

This guide will answer questions you may have about the costs of assisted living and recommend resources to help you pay for it.


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Instant Access to Free Guide

 

The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Having “The Talk” With Your Parent: It’s Time for Assisted Living
Talking to your aging parent about moving to an assisted living community isn’t easy.

Often, many adult children avoid bringing it up because it can be a sensitive topic.

This guide will provide you with helpful tips and insight on how to have a productive conversation with your parent and siblings regarding your parent’s future.


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Instant Access to Free Guide

 

The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-The Challenges of Aging: How to Handle Your Aging Parent’s Difficult BehaviorsDifficult behaviors in elderly adults are very common. They may be an expression of frustration your loved one feels or a symptom of early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s.

This guide will provide you with skills and knowledge on how to handle difficult behaviors your aging parent may be experiencing.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Becoming a Family Caregiver: What You Need to Know Before Deciding to Take Care of a Loved One
Becoming a family caregiver can be a rewarding experience. It also has its challenges.

There are many questions to answer before making the decision to take care of a loved one.

This guide will provide answers to questions you may have on this topic.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Helping Your Parent Manage DepressionIs your parent or loved one depressed, or just in a bad mood?

What does medication and illness have to do with depression?

How can you help? In this guide, you will be provided with answers to the difficult questions you may have about depression.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Is It Depression? A Guide to Identifying and Addressing Depression in Aging AdultsHas your aging parent recently lost interest in activities they used to enjoy? Have you noticed a change in their mood and behavior?

This guide will provide you with resources and tools on how to identify depression, what are the common causes of depression, and how to promote mental health in your aging loved one.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Assisted Living Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Does your loved one need more support than what they are getting? Would they benefit from some assistance with daily activities?

In this guide, you’ll find answers to the most common questions asked about assisted living.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Why We Chose the Arbors Assisted Living and Memory Care: A Collection of Stories from Residents Living at The ArborsWhere do you start searching for assisted living or memory care communities?

What qualities in a community should you look for? How do you know you made the right decision?


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-7 Warning Signs It’s Time to Make the Move to Assisted Living
Has your dad stopped getting together for lunches or outings with friends or visits with neighbors? Have you stopped enjoying time with your parents because you’re a caregiver?

Choosing an assisted living community is a big decision. Learn how to find the right one for you and your loved one.


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Guide-Getting Your Affairs in Order
No one ever plans to be sick or disabled, and disasters, man-made or natural, can happen at any time, anywhere.

Yet older adults are among the most vulnerable during a crisis. That’s why it’s critical that seniors, and those who care for them, prepare for emergencies.


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Guide-Guide to Making the Move to Assisted Living
Moving to assisted living is a life-changing event.

This guide provides tips and ideas on downsizing, what to pack and how to make the transition smooth for your senior parent.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

Instant Access to Free Guide

 

Guide-Solutions to Common Caregiving ChallengesIn this eBook, you’ll learn how to talk with family and friends about caregiving challenges, how to deal with a parent who is resistant to help, how to get more caregiving help from your siblings, and how to keep your job while caregiving.


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How Moving My Loved One to The Arbors Eliminated My Caregiving ChallengesHave you had to cut back your hours at work to care for your mom? Are you worried about administering medications or injections?

Have you stopped getting together with friends, either because you don’t have the time or you’re too exhausted? Are you becoming the invisible second patient?


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-When is the Right Time for Memory Care?In this guide, you’ll learn about the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, including the early symptoms of dementia; the seven stages of dementia and the symptoms that typically accompany each one; and the signs it’s time to start exploring your memory care options.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-What to Look for in a Memory Care CommunityIn this guide, you’ll learn about the difference between assisted living and memory care, how healthcare professionals are trained in dementia care, common features of a memory care community, and questions you should ask when exploring your memory care options.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-Brothers and Sisters
Navigating adult sibling relationships can be a challenge, but coming together for the sake of your parent is important.

In this guide, you’ll learn about common sibling conflicts that arise when caring for parents, strategies for getting siblings on board, and where to turn to for help.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-The StandoffAssisted living can be a touchy subject. No matter how you approach it, your parent is likely to have objections to something.

As you help them transition to a new stage of life, it helps to be prepared with answers to their questions and concerns.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

Instant Access to Free Guide

 

Guide-11 Most Common Caregiving Challenges
A Guide to the Most Common Family Caregiver Challenges Associated with Caring for an Aging Parent.

You’ll learn about the true costs of being a family caregiver, common family conflicts that can occur when caring for parents, and some of the unexpected challenges of caregiving.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

Instant Access to Free Guide

 

Guide-Checklist_ Questions to Ask When Touring an Assisted Living Community
This checklist will help to make sure you are getting the most out of your visit to The Arbors.

The list details what important questions to ask during your visit so you are able to make an enlightened choice and find the best assisted living community for your needs.

NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

Instant Access to Free Guide

 

Guide-What is Assisted Living Really LikeIf you’re unsure what Assisted Living looks like in real life, whether there is a difference with nursing homes or a desire to see how community life unfolds, then this guide is exactly what you need.

A guide to discover the Care Team and a Typical Day in Assisted Living.

NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

Instant Access to Free Cost Comparison guide

You’re probably wondering how much the different senior living options compare to your current situation.
If you do, then this guide is exactly what you need.


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