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What are the flaws of assisted living?

Asked by heatvelder | Mar 29, 2010

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Carol Bradley Bursack, Mar 30, 2010

Over the span of two decades author, columnist and speaker Carol Bradley Bursack cared for a neighbor and six elderly family members. Because of this experience, Bradley Bursack created a portable support group, the book “Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories.” Her sites, www.mindingourelders.com and www.mindingoureldersblogs

Each assisted living center is different. They don't have the Federal regulation of nursing homes. Read the contract carefully so you know exactly what care is covered in the basic contract, and what they charge extra for.
Carol

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anonymous13319

Give a Hug

Mar 30, 2010

My favorite thing to say is, "there isn't much assistance in assisted living."
When my mom moved here, I looked into several ALFs. They were lovely. They always want to show you the pool, conference center, library, dining hall, etc. However, when I asked them the tough questions, ie: what personal services do you offer, there were few. (or they were provided at extra expense.)
In my area a decent ALF costs 3,500-5000 per month. For that amount she would receive two meals, laundry, and activities. When I asked what do you do if a person can not get to the dining room, they said it was extra for "room service." Also, they did not provide personal care (bathing, hair, etc.) and no housekeeping. Errands, doc visits, and medications had to be provided by someone else - or, as you guessed it - you pay extra for them.
I think most of these places are just picking the pockets of seniors. The brochures promise a way of life that you have to overpay for or that really does not exist. None of these places wants to do the "hard work" that famlies provide. So they end up being very expensive apartments.

that's more than my 2 cents

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