Multiple Sclerosis: Assisted Living

Assisted living is a type of housing for people who need various levels of medical and personal care. Living spaces can be individual rooms, apartments, or shared quarters. The facilities generally provide a home-like setting and are physically designed to promote the resident's independence.

What Services Do Assisted-Living Communities Provide?

The services offered by assisted-living communities vary from facility to facility. Services often include:

• One to three meals a day
• Monitoring of medication
• Help with personal care, including dressing and bathing
• Housekeeping and laundry
• 24-hour emergency care
• Some medical services
• Social and recreational activities

Is Assisted-Living for Me?

Talk with your family and caregivers about what services you need. Take time to consider what services are important to you before you visit assisted-living communities. This step will help ease your transition. Think about these questions:

• Why do I want/need to change my living arrangements?
• What daily activities do I need help with (bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, remembering medications)?
• How often do I need help?

What Should I Look for in an Assisted-Living Community?

The following questions will help you and your family, when evaluating assisted-living facilities. Review the questions before you decide on a particular facility.

General

• Is the residence licensed?
• What type of insurance does the facility carry on personal property?
• How do they respond to medical emergencies?
• What is the visitation policy?

Contracts, Costs and Finances

• Is a contract agreement available to include accommodations, personal care, healthcare, and support services?
• When may a contract be terminated and what is the refund policy?
• Are additional services available if the residents needs change?
• How do you pay for additional services that are needed on a temporary basis (such as nursing care)?
• Are there different costs for various levels or categories of services?
• Are there any government, private, or corporate programs available to help cover the cost of services to the resident?
• What are the billing, payment, and credit policies?
• May a resident handle his or her own finances with staff assistance (if able), or should a family member or outside party be designated to do so?

Staff

• Is staff appropriately trained?
• Did you receive a warm greeting from staff? Are staff personable and outgoing?
• Are staff appropriately dressed?
• Do staff members greet residents by their first names and interact warmly with them?
• Are staff available to meet scheduled and unscheduled needs?
• Are staff available to assist residents who experience memory, orientation, or judgment losses?

Residents and Atmosphere

• Do residents socialize with each other and appear happy and comfortable?
• Do residents, other visitors, and volunteers speak favorably about the facility?
• Do the residents seem to be appropriate housemates for you or your loved one?

Facility Design

• Do you like the appearance of the building and its surroundings?
• Is the decor attractive and home-like?
• Is the floor plan easy to follow?
• Do doorways, hallways, and rooms accommodate wheelchairs and walkers?
• Are elevators available?
• Are handrails available to aid in walking?
• Are cupboards and shelves easy to reach?
• Are carpets secured and floors made of a non-skid material?
• Is there good natural and artificial lighting?
• Is the residence clean, odor free, and appropriately heated/cooled?