How to Qualify for Assisted Living

Making the decision to place your loved one into an assisted living facility can sometimes be difficult. Many people think that the process is as simple as taking a tour, choosing a location and then moving in, however, there is a process that one has to qualify for before taking the final step.

Things You'll Need

• Medical Histories
• Physical
• Identification

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Instructions

• 1

  Choose a location. The first and most important step is to choose an appropriate facility. Since this is such an important decision, make sure to check into everything thoroughly. Take tours of multiple facilities, ask questions about everything you can think of, make note of whether the staff seems happy and check out any activities that may be available. While you are there, don't be afraid to talk to other residents and ask them questions. Residents not happy with the facility for any reason will be certain to let you know.

• 2

  Complete the physical assessment. The physical assessment forms will be available at your chosen facility and should be filled out by the patient's personal physician. The physical assessment will generally consist of a physical and a full medical history. Generally, these forms are required at least 30 days before the patient moves into the facility.

• 3

  Sign the residential agreement. This agreement will be signed by the patient and the caregiver. The residential agreement is basically a contract for services and will list all of the services that will be rendered as well as the costs that will be charged.

• 4

  Complete the functional assessment. The first 30 days of the patient's stay is generally considered a trial run. During the initial 30 days, the staff of the facility you have chosen will observe the patient and fill out the functional assessment. The assessment will rate how well the patient can perform daily activities such as eating, bathing and getting dressed. This assessment will assist in determining the amount of assistance the patient will need while in the assisted living center.

• 5

  Complete the service plan. The service plan is always done after the functional assessment. The service plan takes the results from the previous assessment and will list all of the services that will be provided to the patient along, when or how often it will be provided and who will be responsible for providing the services. The service plan is updated on a frequent basis and can be updated as needs change.

• 6

  Finalize everything. Once the initial 30 days is over, if the staff and the patient/caregivers feel that the facility is a good match for them, you will then sign finalization documents that will allow the patient to become a resident of the assisted living center.