As our parent’s age, proper senior care becomes a top priority. Look past assisted living and find out here the top-rated continuing-care retirement communities.
Did you know that someone who turns 65 has a 70% chance of needing long-term care during the remainder of their life? This may be of some concern if you have a parent advancing in years.
Parenting a Parent: How to Find a Great Continuing Care Retirement Community
The excellent news is seniors have many options that don’t involve a nursing home. For example, a continuing-care retirement community (CCRC) offers different care levels and a pleasant living environment.
However, note that not all facilities offer the same level of care and assistance the senior members of your family need and deserve. And so, it’s critical to research and review your options carefully to ensure you choose the best community and gain the peace of mind that your aging parent will be well taken care of and receive optimum comfort and care. You can find out more here to get started with your research.
Furthermore, if this sounds like a good option for your parent, keep reading. We’re going over some tips for finding top-rated continuing-care retirement communities in your area.
Check Reviews of Local CCRCs
The first thing you’ll need to do is find all the CCRCs within a reasonable distance from you. Ensure you’re not looking at assisted living communities, as these are for seniors with sensitive care requirements.
Once you’ve found several communities, checking online reviews is crucial. Don’t consider a community with frequent negative comments from residents or family members.
It would be best if you also did additional online research on any CCRCs in your area. If you find prior lawsuits or formal complaints about staff or conditions, look elsewhere.
Checking reviews can go a long way in ensuring you pick the best retirement community for your senior loved one. For one, it can give you an insight into the quality of service and care you’re likely to get should you decide to work with them. Such information can guide you in making the right decision to benefit your senior loved one.
Tour Several Facilities
Once you’ve narrowed your list, it’s time to take tours. All CCRCs offer scheduled visits that allow you to check out the facilities.
Some communities will allow a potential resident to stay for a day and night. This will enable them to experience the facility fully and speak to other residents.
When visiting a CCRC, ask about the day-to-day care process and the qualifications of staff members. You want to make your parent will have everything they need. This can also be an opportunity to see and experience the facility yourself. You can inspect its cleanliness, security, and maintenance. This gives you an in-depth view of how suitable the facility is.
Check Eligibility Requirements
Most residents who choose a CCRC live there for the rest of their lives. That’s why facilities require potential residents to go through a screening process.
To be eligible for residence at a CCRC, your parent must be in good health. There are also minimum and maximum age limits.
If your parent meets the health requirements, you must read the contract’s fine print before signing. It should outline how they provide different levels of care and when a resident moves from one level to the next.
Consider Finances
Once you’ve found a CCRC you and your parent like, it’s time to consider financial details. Most facilities require potential residents to meet a few requirements.
You’ll need to discuss the monthly fee for residency. This is based on the level of care your parent requires. Your parent may need Medicaid or Medicare to apply.
You can also expect to pay initial entry and move-in fees. Be prepared to show proof of your income to meet a CCRC’s requirements. They need to know you can cover monthly fees and any unexpected expenses that may pop up.
With that, it’s best to consider and anticipate all possible costs associated with finding a suitable community for your senior loved one and determine what your finances will allow you. This will help you filter your options and allow you to pick a good retirement community that also meets your budget.
Only Consider Top-Rated Continuing-Care Retirement Communities
As your parent ages, their health and emotional well-being should be your highest priority. As much as possible, you’d want the best for them and ensure their wellness is adequately taken care of. That’s why you should only consider top-rated continuing-care retirement communities when planning their future.
Thorough research is the key, in this case. Assess each community’s background and management track records. Familiarize yourself with the amenities and facilities each offers and see if it’s something that your aging parents would want and how it can benefit them. More importantly, ask about the staff caring for your senior loved one.
Use the tips discussed above and find the best facility in your area. We hope this article has proven helpful.