The aging of the US population is forcing many Americans to make choices they may have been putting off or not even considering regarding the best form of care for themselves or their loved ones.
For many families, obtaining sufficient information to make the right choices often is pretty much an individual effort, talking with local elder care agencies, determining what forms of care are available and where, and even making personal visits. In some cases it all comes down to a matter of finances and ability.
Does a retirement community fit the bill, or will assisted living be in the future? Is there enough retirement income to provide for daily living as well as long-term care if necessary?
Fortunately, American entrepreneurs have always risen to the occasion and the need for a comprehensive information source on elder living is no exception.
I received a message the other day from the website Assisted Living Today http://assistedlivingtoday.com/ which has links to assisted living, nursing homes, memory care, and independent living. After going through it I concluded that it has a wealth of useful information that could be of use to FLAWatchdog readers.
Ron Winter
The site does ask you to register with them, meaning someone is likely to contact you, but you also can peruse the information provided – and there is a lot of it – without going through registration. The site highlights some states and cities that are popular retirement destinations and also has a feature to help you locate facilities near you.
The guides are intended to help people who are deciding what type of care they or a loved one needs. Once that decision is made they have plenty of information to help them make the best decision. They also provide information such as questions to ask, fees to look for, and contractual issues.
Here’s an example: In the Nursing home section the site gives an overview titled What is a Nursing Home and How Much Should it Cost? Selecting a Nursing Home
The thought of nursing home placement is one that strikes fear for many older adults and their families. Although this decision is never easy, this guide intends to provide you with information to help make the choice of which facility as well as make the transition a little easier.
The stigma associated with nursing is still alive and well. In the past, many were institutional settings with wards of residents. The rumors of poor care, poor conditions and overall neglect were rampant. Many felt they were “dumped” into the facility because no one else was willing to care for them. Others simply didn’t have any one to care for them.
Beating the reputation of facilities of the past has proved to be difficult. Many of today’s elderly remember these institutions and do not want to subject themselves or their loved one to such conditions. However, it is important to note, that today’s regulations are much more stringent and although there are instances of neglect, abuse and poor care, these are the exception and not the norm.
I guess it’s because I prefer organizations that get right to the point, but when I saw that the issue of substandard care was addressed up front, it gave the site a decent measure of credibility. Each section has similar introductions with good explanations of what the various types of care entail and what to expect.
All in all Assisted Living Today serves as an excellent clearinghouse both for information, contacts and possible places to explore further. And you can do it all without leaving your computer!
