Frequently Asked Questions

Placement involves finding a new home for you or your loved one when extra care is needed. This can be either permanent or temporary, such as respite care. We offer emergency placement within hours and aim to fit seamlessly into your schedule, typically completing most placements to a desirable senior living community in 3 to 4 days.

We help families understand senior living options and locate affordable, quality care. Our process begins with a complimentary, personalized RN assessment, identifying the necessary services and matching you with pre-screened senior care options. This includes community tours, guidance on the move-in process, and even complimentary settle-in support.

Our services are entirely free for families and seniors, covering tours, consultations, and assessments. Our costs are funded by the chosen community partners, allowing you to focus on selecting the best care without financial concern. To learn more about the costs of senior living communities, visit our Forum.

Independent Living (IL) Also called retirement apartments are typically unlicensed and may provide social programs, dining, emergency response, and transportation, but do not provide onsite care. You may contract with an outside company for “In Home Care” if you need help with activities of daily living such as showers, dressing, toileting or medication management. Additional services such as a beauty salon or laundry services may be purchased for a fee.

Assisted Living Homes/Adult Care Homes (ACH) These are private homes for up to 10 adults, and must be licensed by the state. Services include housekeeping, meals, 24-hour supervision, assistance with personal care, medication administration and activities. Specialized dementia care is available in some settings. In most cases, these smaller communities are less expensive than an Assisted Living community because they have fewer residents and therefore fewer amenities offered.

Assisted Living (AL) Community These offer a larger apartment setting with meals, transportation, housekeeping and laundry services, 24- hour supervision, administration of medications, assistance with personal care. Also licensed, many offer amenities like fitness centers, theater, or multiple dining venues and often have larger accommodations, but vary by community. Specialized dementia care or distinct, secure memory care neighborhoods may be available.

Memory Care (MC) – Most of the larger communities have a licensed Memory Care (also called Dementia or Alzheimer’s) neighborhood onsite. In many cases, but not all, this is a secured unit or wing in a building. These programs offer all the services of Assisted Living, with specialized programs, staff training, and design that supports advancing Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) also called Rehab – Licensed residential health care facility offer ongoing nursing care. Three levels of care may be offered: Intermediate care, Skilled Care and Dementia/Secured care. Many individuals first experience a SNF to rehabilitate after a hospital stay or illness. In this case it is a temporary stay, often paid by insurance, and is for a specified amount of time based on progress. Those with ongoing needs for this high level of medical care will pay out of pocket or with Medicaid.

Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) – These campus-style communities offer a full continuum of care ranging from IL/Retirement apartments or villas to assistance with personal care in AL apartment, to long-term care in a SNF. They are specifically designed to allow residents to receive all of their care needs on the same campus. Types of contracts available vary.

Absolutely! Whether you prefer to have us accompany you or tour independently, we’ll assist with arrangements and feedback to ensure you make an informed and comfortable decision.

Our services are entirely free for families and seniors, covering tours, consultations, and assessments. Our costs are funded by the chosen community partners, allowing you to focus on selecting the best care without financial concern.

While most communities expect residents to pay from their private funds, options like Long Term Care Insurance or Medicaid may help cover costs.

Additionally, veterans and their spouses may be eligible for financial support through programs like Aid and Attendance. We can help determine which communities’ programs will fit best with your financial situation, just reach out.

In most cases, the cost for personal care at an assisted living, personal care home, or independent living community is covered by existing assets, income, or family support. In some cases, Medicaid can pay for a long-term care community if the individual meets financial need requirements and health care needs assessment. Long-term care insurance plans & Veterans Aid and Attendance will also pay towards assisted living communities and personal care homes. Talk with our expert team to assure you are tapping all the funding sources available to you!

Consider assisted living if your loved one faces challenges with managing finances, medications, cooking, personal care, needs 24/7 supervision, has frequent falls, or is becoming increasingly isolated.

Our expert team can help identify the best options and timing for a successful and safe move.

Our tailored assessment and tour process, plus our deep knowledge of local senior living options, saves you time and effort. We schedule onsite tours, talk through care plans, fees, and budgeting, provide settle-in support, and even offer quarterly re-assessments to assure your loved one continues to have the right support for successful aging. Our goal is to be your advocate and help you choose the best option for your loved one.

Our tailored assessment and tour process, plus our deep knowledge of local senior living options, saves you time and effort. We schedule onsite tours, talk through care plans, fees, and budgeting, provide settle-in support, and even offer quarterly re-assessments to assure your loved one continues to have the right support for successful aging. Our goal is to be your advocate and help you choose the best option for your loved one.

Many senior living options are pet friendly. In most cases small dogs are welcome, but there may be breed or size restrictions. Most communities that are pet friendly have a common area for walking and playing with your dog. Cats and birds can also be accommodated provided you take care of them and clean up after them. Mention your pet when you first speak with our expert advisors so we can consider this in recommending communities!

Most apartment and suites are unfurnished, so many residents bring a small sofa, favorite chair, pictures for the wall, memorabilia, photo albums, bedroom furniture, and more, (but not too much!). Many communities offer a suggested packing list that will help you to downsize and make the most of your new space. We can also connect you with a Senior Move Manager or helper to help with your pack and downsize.

All-inclusive pricing covers both living arrangements and necessary care services, like medication management and personal support. This is common in memory care neighborhoods and some assisted living communities. Understanding the rate structure of each community is crucial for decision-making, and Senior Living Options is here to help.

We are committed to helping seniors and their families find the help and resources they need at any income level. We can provide information and referrals to community-based organizations serving seniors and disabled adults. If the person(s) in need is a veteran, or non-divorced widow of a veteran, there may be funds available to offset costs. Call us to discuss your unique needs.

The decision of moving into a senior living community is life-changing for the individual as well as the family. It requires an investment of time, research, and legwork. Several factors will come into play in making a decision: the senior’s abilities and needs, location, cost, services offered, and more. Understanding a community’s philosophy of care and internal regulations is also important. Some tasks vital to the decision-making process include comprehensive interviews with community representatives, personal tours of the residences, gathering of feedback from residents and/or their family members, and more. The Right Move Senior Resource is here to help guide, inform, and make sense of all of the options with a goal of making sure everyone involved is comfortable with the decision made.