How do I find assisted living for myself?

They will court you, if you have financial resources. Look carefully. Try to find information from people who do not work for the place. They are a business, make no mistake. The non-profits should and may be better, but in truth, it is a financially difficult business to run. The Continuing Care Retirement Communities's do provide care throughout your life. That involves a large down payment, very large. They can run into financial problems, so far their peers have bailed the residents out, to my knowledge. Have an elder care lawyer review the contract before you sign if you enter any place. We are in a reasonable place, but think of car dealers. The vehicle may be good or bad, the sales push is the same. In fact, the sales staff is among the very best paid. Any information you can find beyond the sales push is gold. You wouldn't just listen to a car salesman, I hope. Believe me, they will want you to visit, and they will treat you well. When you do, take your time. Look around. Are the residents cheerful looking? Is the place clean everywhere, do check the trash rooms on the floor. Also, check out the cleaning staff, the dining staff, are they cheerful or sullen? If possible, think of an excuse to pop in, uninvited, and look around, notice how staff responds. Few nice places can accept medicaid, the ones that did went broke. Sorry to sound negative, but it is a difficult decision. enlist a friend or family member to accompany you to any visits, negotiations, signing. Get any details or assurances in writing. Again, have an elder care lawyer review them. Again, we are in a nice place, but there are pitfalls possible in any decision. Us elderly people cannot pivot and change easily when things are not what we expected. Plan ahead, and get help from someone else, even if you do that well.

(Admins: Flagging my response in case you can provide a menu or guidance for our new member, Star50Star)

Star:
Are you wanting something like A Place For Mom services?
If so, then scroll down to the bottom of the page.
You will see on the far left a list that is headed by "Find Senior Care".
Choose what you want from this list and sign up for what you would like to explore.
Right now you are on a Forum that is actually sponsored by and owned by A Place For Mom, but those of us on this Forum have no connection to that service. We are just caregivers, former caregivers or folks with questions about our own care.

I am going to flag your question for the admins so that if they are able to they can reach out with a menu of things for you to explore.

Do also know, that given you are capable on the computer, you can google in your area for senior assisted living and reach facilities. They will be glad to give to a virtual tour online and to see you in their facility for a tour. Start by preparing your list of questions about size of rooms, activities, levels of care and costs, and etc.

Best of luck to you.

Ask the Senior center if they have any recommendations . Go On YELP and read reviews . Ask for catalogs and go and visit if Possible . Have a person be your healthcare Proxy and Power of attorney . Speak with your doctor about what your Plans are for end of life . ( Do Not resuscitate if you have a heart attack ) See an elder attorney if assets are involved . Get some Support . Maybe the Alzheimers association can refer you to a good Place .

I recommend joining Nextdoor.com, which is an intranet of your actual neighbors and close-in communities. Post a "Recommendation Needed for Assisted Living (or CCC)" and you will get lots of great input. CCC = continuum of care community, like cwillie referenced.

Also, it is essential that you have your legal ducks in a row: have an assigned PoA or pre-need guardian, Advance Healthcare Directive, Last Will, etc. If you don't do this, then many of your desires will never play out the way you want because you will eventually be assigned a 3rd party legal guardian by the courts. So, put as much control into place now because chances are you won't be able to do it later when its essential.

If it were me I'd want a place that can offer a full continuum of care, assisted living may be fine for now but as you age memory care and then a nursing home may be in your future. You also need to consider how you will pay for all of this, some facilities will not accept medicaid if your money runs out and some will only accept it if a person has already been living there a period of time.
If you find all this research overwhelming then a geriatric care manager may be worth every penny.

Just do an internet search for assisted living facilities in your area. Call them up to make an appointment for a tour.

Most will invite you to come during lunch and you can share a meal with them.

Best wishes to you.