Assisted Living Articles

• Understanding Senior Housing Options
  Assess your elderly parent’s needs and make the best senior living/residential care choice. Learn about assisted living, skilled nursing, independent living, continuing care retirement communities and home care.
  What's the difference? »
• Assisted Living Checklist : What to Look for in Senior Housing
  When a parent is moving into a senior community, be it assisted living, a nursing home or some other retirement community, the family wants to make sure they find the very best place where their loved one will be happy and safe. How do you choose?
  Senior Housing Checklist »
• No Strings Attached: Trying Out Assisted Living
  Moving to an assisted living community is a big decision. Fear of the unknown makes seniors hesitant to make the permanent move. More assisted living communities are allowing temporary stays, with no long-term commitment.
  Testing the waters at assisted living »
• Is Your Parent’s Long-Term Care Residence Ready For An Emergency?
  Questions to ask to make sure the senior community where your parent lives is prepared in case of a hurricane, earthquake, tornado, fire, nuclear threat or other emergency situation.
  Questions to ask about disaster planning »
• Manly Pastimes Rule at Senior Living Facilities
  Men may be in the minority at assisted living facilities, but they still have plenty of manly things to do--try poker nights, putting greens, karaoke and even drum circles.
  But they won't show up unless friends do »
• The Social Side of Assisted Living: Activities and Events
  One of the benefits of living in a senior community is the easy access to activities, events and social functions.
  Resort-like atmospheres at some homes »
• Couples Living Together in Senior Housing
  Many senior housing facilities, such as assisted living, independent living, skilled nursing and memory care centers, have residences where couples can live together.
  How to find senior housing for couples »
• Finding Assisted Living for People With Alzheimer's
  It's become obvious that your loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia should be in assisted living. You now must be very selective when deciding what facility will provide the best care for your loved one.
  Find the right Alzheimer's facility »
• How to Convince Your Parent to Move to Assisted Living
  You know they need to go to assisted living, but how do you get parents who are stubborn or worried about leaving home to make the big move?
  Expert tips to persuade them to accept »
• Can my parent be asked to leave assisted living because of bad behavior?
  It may come as a shock if an assisted living facility asks your parent to leave; however, it is within their right if they believe your parent could cause harm to themselves, other residents, or staff.
  Options when a parent is asked to leave »
• Who is Allowed to Dispense Medication at Assisted Living Facilities?
  Wondering who's allowed to dispense medication in an assisted living facility? Laws vary by state.
  State laws determine what's allowed »
• How To Tell if Parents Are Ready for Assisted Living
  Sometimes, the best option to keep your elderly parents safe and healthy is to move them into an assisted living facility. It can provide them with the care they need that you may not be able to offer.
  How to determine if it's time to move »
• Dad can't care for mom alone anymore, but refuses to put her in assisted living. Can we intervene?
  If you think its time for your elderly mother to go to assisted living, spend some time assessing the situation before trying to convince your father.
  Read More »
• Can assisted living kick out a resident who can no longer pay?
  Assisted living facilities can evict residents for non-payment of fees.
  Check the contract you signed for rules »
• Both My Parents have Dementia. Can They Live Together in Assisted Living?
  If both elderly parents have dementia and required assisted living, what options are available?
  Living together in assisted living »
• How do you physically remove someone from their home to assisted living?
  To get help with physically removing your elderly parent from their home to assisted living, call social services or go to your state's aging services website.
  Who to involve if this situation arises »
• Can assisted living evict mom if her long-term care benefits expire?
  Senior housing facilities have the right to evict residents for non-payment of fees. However, there are hardship waivers to protect against certain situations.
  What must happen before the eviction »
• Questions and Answers about Assisted Living
  Caregivers and seniors have plenty of questions about assisted living. What is it? Can we move in mom's sofa? Who administers medication? What happens if there's an emergency? And what does it cost?
  Answers to your most common questions »
• Choosing Housing for A Person With Dementia
  Dementia and Alzheimer's are devastating illnesses for all members of the family. For some, the best choice is to allow their loved one to live in a facility designed specifically to care for those with these diagnoses.
  Tips for selecting the right facility »
• Helping Elderly Parents Transition to Assisted Living
  Whether a parent goes into assisted living willingly or has to be encouraged, the transition period may be challenging. It can be hard for elderly loved ones to leave behind the homes they loved and adjust to their new apartment.
  Caregivers can help parents transition »