Elder Law

10 Things to Know When Choosing An Assisted Living Facility

By Levin & Perconti

Dr. Cheryl Woodson, a season geriatrician, has come up with 10 ways to navigate the care giving maze. First she tells us that assisted living is a myth and to avoid them because they are not permitted by law to provide medical care. The doctor also suggests that a nursing home properly assess the elderly patient?s physical and cognitive health before they admit them into an assisted living facility. She warns that assisted living facilities admit residents who already need help with simple tasks like eating and dressing, and then charge extra for those tasks. Dr. Woodson noted that by hiring a geriatric care manager, siblings can alleviate their overwhelming feelings. She advices calling and arranging to meet the doctors that will be working with your elderly patient before admitting a loved one into a home. Additionally, families should always closely monitor the monthly pharmacy bill. Nursing homes may try to add medication that an elderly patient does not use to scam family members out of money. Dr. Woodson?s last piece of advice is to make sure your assisted living facility knows all of the symptoms of Alzheimer?s so that this problem can be dealt with immediately. To read the full story, click here.

Full post as published by Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog on October 22, 2008 (boomark / email).