There may come a time when your loved one needs more support than can be comfortably provided at home. Although exploring long-term residential care can seem overwhelming, it can also lead to a safe, supportive environment with meaningful daily activities. Visiting assisted living communities, nursing homes and memory care units can help you find the right fit.
When long-term care may be needed
- Safety at home is compromised (walking difficulties, wandering, forgetting to turn off stove)
- Medical or cognitive needs outgrow home support
- Daily-living activities require continuous help (bathing, eating, dressing, toileting)
- Caregiver stress becomes unsustainable
- A physician advises a higher level of care for safety
Facility Tours: Questions to ask
- What services are included in the base monthly rate? What additional services are available if needs increase?
- Does the facility have a secure, specialized section for Alzheimer’s or persons living with dementia?
- What is the staff-to-resident ratio, including at night? What training do care providers have?
- How often is an RN on site? What is the policy on the use of medications?
- Observe the facility for cleanliness, maintenance and dining quality. Request to see the most recent state inspection survey and plan of correction.
- What does the daily routine look like? Request to see menus and activity calendars.
- Can you visit multiple times, without scheduling ahead, to see how things run at different times?
- For privately funded facilities, ask what happens if your funds run out. Will the facility accept Medicaid or would a move be required?*
*Planning ahead is important if funds are limited and a move is needed, since many well-regarded facilities that accept Medicaid have waiting lists.
How to search for a long-term care facility
- Medicare’s Care Compare tool
(Medicare.gov/care-compare) - The Eldercare Locator
(eldercare.acl.gov) - Your local Area Agency on Aging
- State or county Department of Health websites
(e.g., HealthNY.gov, CaLongTermCareCompare.org, FloridaHealthFinder.gov) - U.S. News and World Report rankings
(health.usnews.com/best-nursing-homes)
You have an ombudsman
Each state runs a long-term care ombudsman program funded through the Older Americans Act. Long-term care ombudsmen are free, government-mandated advocates who protect the health, safety, welfare and rights of residents in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and residential care communities.
They investigate complaints, mediate disputes between residents and staff and ensure resident rights are not violated. They work for the resident, not the facility.
To learn more, visit The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care (https://theconsumervoice.org/get-help). To find your local ombudsman, select your state from the State List.