Choosing an assisted living home can be a very difficult choice for both the elderly adult that needs the living arrangements and the children who have to help their parent. In order to make the process simpler, it is helpful to break the choice down into three main factors.

1. Cost

If you make sure that the cost is something that the elderly relative's retirement savings can handle, then the assisted living is a good choice because he or she will not have to change to a cheaper facility in the coming years. If assisted living is something that the elderly relative's children can assist with, along with any retirement savings, then assisted living is probably still a good choice, with the slight chance that the elderly parent might have to switch to a cheaper facility. If assisted living can only be afforded with the income of the children alone, then assisted living is not a good choice because if anything happens to even one of the children's income, the ability to afford assisted living will be in jeopardy.

One of the main reasons why it is so critical for assisted living to be affordable is because seniors need community in order to maintain their mental well-being. It can be incredibly demoralizing to have to leave the friends that you've made just because you can no longer afford to live at the assisted living facility.

2. Location

Another important factor to take into consideration is the location of the assisted living facility. Children and parents should be aiming to strike a balance between finding a location that is in a climate that is good for the health of the senior, but also that is near enough to visit. Warmer climates tend to help seniors live longer because warmth helps them maintain their immune systems and avoid getting sick. Being near family is also important because it makes it more likely that the senior will have loved ones visit.

3. Comfort

Before choosing an assisted living facility, visit it for a longer period of time, at least a day. Make sure that the senior feels comfortable in the facility. Small things such as the smell of the facilities or the friendliness of the nurses can drastically influence a senior's experience at the facility. Try to find a place where the senior is comfortable.

For more information, talk to the manager of a senior care facility such as Twin Oaks Estate.

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