Assisted-living, memory care: How did you find a good facility?

I’m in AZ. They are private companies. One example is “a Place for Mom”.
They are national.

@celia16
That’s quite different.

I would rather go to a place that is more “upscale” in the beginning and once I run out of money move to a place where Medicaid is accepted . There is a difference in quality of course.

thank you

Most, if not all agencies who will “search and recommend” a facility for you have contracts with those facilities that hire them, and require the agency bring a certain number of prospective clients to them during the contract period. The agency is paid by the facility for each client who moves in. So, be advised, and ask each agency if they have such contracts with the facilities they recommend.

I’ve found the following to be helpful questions when interviewing communities or residential care homes…
Observe the lobby when you enter…. How many staff are evident, and are residents “parked” in their wheelchairs? Are they napping in the lobby?
Ask what the staff to resident ratio is during the day AND night. (It will be different at night).
If a residential care home, is the staff awake or asleep during the night?
Is there an RN on staff, and do they reside at the home, or just accessible?

When was the last State survey done? (Should be less than two years). And will they make that report available for you to read? How many deficiencies and how serious were they? Were there fines levied? Are they currently out of compliance, or have they ever been out of compliance with the State?
Does the dietary staff accommodate special needs? Is there an extra charge?
What is the average response time when an assistance button is pressed?
(Most facilities have a program to monitor this).
Will the facility convert you to Medicaid from private pay when necessary? How many years do you need to have lived there before they will do this?
Is there a “fall” requirement they follow? (Some asst care facilities will chart falls, and when there are 3, they will either suggest another heavier care facility or require an increase in level of care and price).. some larger assisted care communities will require you then hire private caregivers if you want to not move.
How long has the Administrator been there? How long has the supervising RN been in place?
Don’t be afraid to take a complete tour…. Including the laundry area. Peek in to the staff lounge, and visit with a few of the residents….

It’s definitely a process of discovery. I hope this helps.

@colleenyoung
Yes, I’m aware of that but that’s the way to find a place and to get a discount from the place, they can get you a discount. It’s like buying a car if you go through an agency and the agency has to get paid otherwise why would they be in business so I do understand that I think that it’s beneficial to do that they know a lot more than I do for what to look for and avoid the chandelier effect. I know they get paid and that’s something that I keep in mind and I thank you for the information you are very correct. But if they can save me some money and get me into a better place then I could look for on my own then it’s worth it.

One tip I can offer is visit at different times. If you visit on a regular visit, the aides know when to expect you and many of them will act so much more caring and nice. When you visit at unexpected times, you may catch some of the less nicer things going on. Keep them off guard. I am not saying that all nursing homes or assistant care homes are like that, but it is a good thing to keep in mind. They all should have an ombudsman that you can call and share any feelings that you have. they are required to check them out. From personal experience with my dad, many of the aides are only there for the money. When I retired in 2012 from the welfare office in Armstrong county pa, I was a caseworker working in the nursing home unit determining eligibility for help from the state for people. There are many rules and regulations you must meet-especially income and resources. Talking to an elder care attorney is really important if you can afford one. They know all the laws you need to know before deciding on a nursing home or an assisted living place including dementia care.

My mom was in a nursing facility, and it was an excellent reputation one. They stole her blind! Everything that was even worth five dollars was taken from her never to be seen again! Don’t take any valuables, including wedding rings. Look at your state ratings for any violations such as falls or joint commission type of sanctions! Go on too Yelp and other websites like Nextdoor and your local Facebook page and put the question out to the public about any bad experiences

As my husband's dementia progressed, we moved across the country to be closer to our children. When the time came to look for a long term placement, we toured the two places in our town. One was more of a retirement/ assisted living community with memory care as an afterthought- through a door at the end of a long hallway. The other was completely understaffed and chaotic. For help, I called "A PLACE FOR MOM" It is a free service. Our case worker interviewed me to find out what my needs and then provided suggestions based on positive reviews they conducted of people who have relatives in those facilities. In Virginia, we found Brookdale facilities and settled on one that is solely dedicated to the care of people living with dementia. A Place For Mom case workers should have information about which facilities meet your financial requirements. I wish you well.

@dsv7 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! You certainly jumped right in with some helpful information! Is there anything in particular that the members can help you with? Is your mom doing well in the Brookdale facility?