Seniors in Transition--When You Can't Stay at Home

AARP research reveals that more than 80 percent of seniors would prefer to live in their own home rather than transfer to a community living facility or skilled nursing home. Sometimes, however, moving is not a matter of preference but of safety and medical need. Making the decision is difficult at best, no matter the reason. Here are some questions to consider so you can determine the best fit for you and your next place to live--hopefully well in advance of when you (or a loved one) needs to make the move.

Start with Fundamentals
1. What quality of care does the facility deliver? The for-profit or not-for-profit status of an organization may or may not concern you. What will surely concern you is the way in which the organization meets regulations and quality-of-care requirements, no matter the profit status. Check the quality of care by going to the Medicare website, Nursing Home Compare (www.medicare.gov/NHCompare/home.asp). You will be able to select all facilities you are interested in and see which one has the best outcomes.

2. Do you wish to live in a faith-based community? Most faith-based organizations are not-for-profit. Faith-based facilities are evaluated and compared to other types at a government-sponsored website that is funded by the Nelson Rockefeller Foundation and can be accessed at http://www.rockinst.org/faith-based/archive/.

3. How far away from family do you wish to live? Consider that family members will have to come to you for a visit, or you will have to be taken to and from the nursing home to enjoy family get-togethers. Distance can become a barrier if you choose a location too far away. Less than 10 miles from your family's main gathering place is best, to ensure that you can see your family as much as possible.

4. What are the living-environment criteria that are most important to you? Frankly, I don't care much for group activities for crafts. However, I find access to my own computer PC and the ability to use a cell phone of my own as primary to my decision of where I want to live. Be sure you have access to those things that are meaningful for you and your lifestyle.

Start Early and Go Often
1. The time to investigate nursing homes is before you need to move--long before, if possible. Start by finding out which facilities are covered by any insurance carrier you will be looking to for funding. Examine the provisions of your long-term care insurance to best understand what is covered and what is not. Get help from an estate attorney if you are unable to interpret your policy. Underlying all the options is your ability to maximize any insurance investment you may have made.

2. Once you have a list of potential homes, visit at various times of day. Ask to meet the administrator and talk to the care staff. Visit at odd times, and do not make an appointment in advance for all visits. Of course, the administrator would appreciate an appointment, but you should also go at odd times, including mealtimes, to see what happens day to day.

3. Finally, make your desired picks, in order of preference, known to your family or the person who has your health-care Power of Attorney. By doing so, you can be assured your research and preferences are well-known by those who may be called upon to make decisions on your behalf if you become too ill to do so yourself.