How to Choose an Assisted Living Facility

By Jeff Anderson on August 22, 2019

Last Updated: August 22, 2019

Any kind of move is difficult, but a senior’s move to an assisted living community may be the hardest of all. That’s why it needs to be done right.

At AssistedLiving.com, we provide families with the information they need to make empowered and informed decisions about senior care for their loved ones. Our local Senior Living Advisors, who work throughout North America, help thousands of families each year find the right facility for their loved ones. Sadly, many families don’t take advantage of free services like ours and end up choosing inappropriate senior communities for their loved ones.

5 Ways to Choose the Right Assisted Living Facility

Learn how to choose the right assisted living community by reviewing five of the worst ways to find one.

Knowing these pitfalls can help you make the right decision for your family during your assisted living search:

1. Don’t choose a community based on looks.

Some people select a community because they are wowed by the ambiance of the community or its decor. But what’s more important than appearances is the care that’s provided. After all, it’s people that provide care, not facilities. Don’t merely choose a community by its superficial appearances. Meet the staff, including those who will be providing hands-on care, to get a better understanding of a community.

2. Don’t choose a community for your loved one based off who they used to be.

Don’t ignore your loved one’s limitations when you’re selecting a community. For example, if your father was an avid golfer, you might want to find a senior community on a golf course or with a putting green. But if your father’s physical limitations mean that his golfing days are over, choosing a golf-oriented community would be unproductive.

3. Don’t choose a facility based on your preferences.

When you’re shopping for an assisted living community, don’t confuse your preferences with your loved one’s. Just because you love swimming doesn’t mean your parent needs a community with a heated pool. Perhaps a library is more important to your parent.

4. Don’t choose a facility by location alone.

A large number of families discover the community they ultimately select for their loved one because they drove by it. Simply because a facility is at a high traffic location doesn’t mean it’s right for your loved one.

5. Don’t succumb to pressure sales tactics.

Marketers at assisted living communities sometimes create a sense of urgency to pressure families to sign an agreement. You may be told there’s “just one unit left” or “we can only offer you these special rates until the end of the month.” Don’t allow yourself to succumb to pressure sales tactics that could lead you to choose a less than ideal location.

Have you chosen an inappropriate assisted living facility for a loved one before? How did you find the right community for you or your family? Share your stories with us in the comments below.

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About the Author

Jeff attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks on an academic scholarship, and also studied creative writing at University of Hull (UK). He found his calling in 2009 when he began working with seniors and their families at A Place for Mom, and has immersed himself in writing and research about issues affecting older adults. He also enjoys literature, spending time with his daughter and recording music

6 Comments

WilliamFL June 5, 2013 at 9:34 pm

I think that it is more important to talk to people who are already in the facility to learn how long have you been here , what do you really like about this facility, what do you not like.and are you really satisfied with the administration and policies. Observe the kind of people who live there and where they came from and why did they choose the facility.
Pat from Central Floriida June 7, 2013 at 5:09 am

After having Mom live with us for almost three years, we decided that she needed more interactment with peers and more activities to make her llife more meaningful. I went to or called and visitied 24 facilities in an hour radius of our home in Florida. I found one that was new, beautifful and seemed to be almost too good to be true. It was for about a year and then things started happening like extreme turnover of staff, micromanaging from corporate offices which is not good, and food services going downhilll. It got so bad that I have pulled her out of that georgeous facility and after much more research and visiting eight more places, I thlink I have found a better alternative for Assisted Lliving.. A Place For Mom helped me greatly in making a good decision. One of the most important criteria I looked for was TURNOVER OF STAFF. Unhappy employees make for unhappy residents.
Marilyn Carroll September 19, 2013 at 6:50 pm

In 2010 my sister moved into an Assisted Living home in Beaver Dam, WI. This spring she became very ill, and was sent to a Nursing Home in Beaver Dam so she could get back on track and get physical therapy. Her goal to getting better, was to be able to go back to her original place even though we knew that she would need to move into the Memory Care Side. We also got a lot of pressure from the lady there to return, even a little sooner than finishing her physical therapy, which we did. However, that was a big mistake. She was pretty good, happy and looking forward to finishing her therapy there. However, she got a sore on her foot which stopped that, it took a month to get her phone hooked up, the new wheel chair does not fit her, and she got sick again, The number of care people is very small, the activities are now materializing, etc. etc. She is not only sick or something, but also very depressed and disappointed and frustrated with her choice. Tomorrow I go up again to the new doctor we have to try and get some health help, physical therapy options, etc. and that too has been frustrating. Now, I don't know what to do, and I'm also depressed and frustrated so know how my sister must feel. I have thoughts of suggesting she go back to her condo, with a hospital bed, and pay for in home care. Any ideas on that? Or, does somebody know of a place in Beaver Dam that they can recommend. Could it be worth hiring a physical therapist to come to the care unit to work with her? Any, other ideas. marilyn
Jeff Anderson September 20, 2013 at 5:02 pm

Hi Marilyn,
You're probably aware this is a sister website of A Place for Mom. I checked our system and saw you've been working with our Senior Living Advisor, Kate Carroll. I will make sure she gets your update and I hope she can help you and your mother find a good solution.
Best,
Jeff
AssistedLiving.Com Team
Karen thatcher January 27, 2014 at 7:41 pm

My Mom past away in December from Altz. She lived in two assisted living homes in the past four years. Be sure you look for one with out add ons if possible. Moms last home was beautiful, private owned and the owners were on the property daily. The price was set when she went into Memory Care and all inclusive no matter the level of care. Some homes add $100. To $300. For different levels and can get very over priced. I went almost daily at different times, either before or after work to keep on top of who staff was and how her care was. Most if the time all was okay and if not I addressed it with management. These workers are under paid for a very hard job and the turnover is great. The ones who stay are usually very dedicated and love old people. We were lucky to have some very good ones.
Lacey Rockwell February 3, 2015 at 6:38 pm

If I had to choose an assisted living facility right now, I would base it off of looks. Before reading this, I had no idea what to look for. Now that I am much more educated on the subject, I would be able to make a wiser decision. I never would have thought of the last point, thinking of their interests. Like, I would want to find somewhere that would allow my mom to paint, while she still can.

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