Assisted living facilities can help your parents stay out of a nursing home when they no longer can live independently. Check out prospective facilities carefully before making any commitments.
- Hire a pro. The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (www.caremanager.org) has a database of 1,500 professionals who can help with assessment and recommend facilities. They likely will know where to steer you (and where to keep you away from).
- Pay a visit. Make some unannounced visits, talk to residents, and observe what types of activities they are engaged in. Visit at different times during the day, including dinner, evenings and weekends.
- Survey the staff. Find out the staff-to-resident ratio and ask about employee training. See how the staff interacts with residents as well as family members.
- Check out the contract. The facility
