5 Tips for Placing Couples in Assisted Living
Most of the information about helping people through the senior care process fails to focus on couples, expecting only single seniors. The fact of the matter is that there are times when a couple must find assisted living – either one or both seniors need care as they are aging. The 2000 U.S. Census indicated that the percentage of people over age 60 who were married has increased compared to the past several decades.
At Adult Care Advisors, we want to help couples who find themselves needing assisted living and wanting to make the move without being separated. We find the following tips most helpful for senior couples considering assisted living:
- Research assisted living communities ahead of time – when you can both visit and ensure that it’s a good fit. Just because you toured the facility doesn’t mean you have to move in immediately but you’ll be better prepared to make the transition if you know where you want to go.
- Have your financial plan in place – this means knowing that you can afford the care and what resources you will be using, i.e., Medicaid versus your own resources. Some assisted living communities do not work with Medicaid so it’s important to know this ahead of time.
- Adjust ahead of time to the new space – you may be downsizing into a smaller area and so it’s important to do what you can ahead of time by listing what will be given to whom before you move.
- Consider the needs of both people – if you want to take fitness classes, will you feel comfortable leaving your spouse alone for that time, for example.
- Consider arrangements for future health changes – by knowing the community’s policies regarding resident retention in the face of health changes, you will know what you are facing should one or both of you have unforeseen health changes in the future.
Don’t struggle to find elder care or assisted living arrangements for yourself or your aging parents. At Adult Care Advisors, you can get the right advice.
Get in touch with our team of adult care consultants today who will help you with making assisted living decisions without the runaround, cold-calling, and research effort.