Choosing Assisted Living
More choice + transparency now. Choose well.
Levels of senior living
- Independent living — apartment + meals + activities.
- Assisted living — adds help with daily activities.
- Memory care — dementia-specific.
- Skilled nursing / nursing home — medical care.
- CCRC — all on one campus.
- Match to current + future needs.
Cost realities
- Independent: $2,500-5,000/mo.
- Assisted living: $4,500-7,500/mo.
- Memory care: $6,000-10,000/mo.
- Skilled nursing: $9,000-12,000/mo.
- Most NOT covered by Medicare.
- Long-term care insurance helps.
- Medicaid covers some after spend-down.
Tour checklist
- Visit 3+ facilities.
- Eat lunch there.
- Visit unannounced second time.
- Check smell + cleanliness.
- Talk to current residents.
- Look at activity calendar.
- Meet medical director.
- Ask about staff turnover.
- Read state inspection reports.
Questions to ask
- Staff to resident ratio?
- Costs for additional services?
- What if needs increase?
- Memory care available on-site?
- How handle medical emergencies?
- Family pet policy?
- Visiting hours?
- Trial stay possible?
Avoid these
- Pressure tactics "sign today."
- Hidden fees not in contract.
- High staff turnover.
- State violations.
- Smell of urine.
- Residents in hallways unattended.
- Staff disrespectful.
- Ask why if multiple have left.
Free help
A Place for Mom — free placement. SeniorAdvisor.com — reviews. Long-term Care Ombudsman — your free advocate. Call before AND during stay. Caring.com reviews. Compare extensively.