Assisted Living Warning

Planning ahead means understanding available care for our aging selves and senior loved ones. Recent reports expose excessive fees imposed at assisted living facilities. Clark explains what to look out for and how to get legit help making placement decisions.

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Our Promise to You:

[TearDownThisWall]

I ran assisted living facilities and nursing homes for 30 years.
If you have a parent in one of these types of facilities, the best advice I can give you is to visit often. The residents/patients with the most visitors/visits, they get the best care and most attention.

[ER-buxi]

My wife was recently in the memory care unit of an assisted living facility in Cobb County, Ga. She was in for several months and fortunately, became strong enough to leave. I was with her every day but I didn’t sleep there. I got her out of bed in the morning and put her to bed at night. I saw more of the operation than anyone else during that time. I absolutely hate the thought of her being there without me. There was a lack of leadership and a lack of training. Some care givers do care about the residents but many of them are lazy. They can’t possibly take care of all the details and needs of the residents in the memory care unit. Several times, they made mistakes with her medication and the medication of other residents. Some care givers acted like they cared about the resident while a family member visited but ignored the resident when the family member was not there. It was very disappointing to see these residents being ignored. There is so much that I could say about the very poor care and the lack of leadership. Now, my wife is at home with me and I’m taking care of her. She does have Alzheimer’s and needs a lot of care but it would break my heart to leave her in a place like that.

[kathlynsteinman]

My mother was in 2 different assisted living places. I did visit very often and I felt like she got very good care. But it was so expensive! I was glad she could afford it, but I can't. So I worry. I can barely afford 775 a month plus all my insurances, food and medicine. I know there are many seniors way worse off than I am. I feel so bad for them!

[loisaustin]

I am 85 years old and believe me, most of the seniors I know living independently, including myself, have no one but themselves to take care of themselves. Most have indifferent children, very low Social Security or pension incomes and have no idea what will happen to them when the time comes they can no longer do it all alone. Most of them are retired school teachers, nurses, office workers who never made the big bucks even after working 40 plus years. They do receive a little help from the county social services to help with their rent and a very small food allowance (SNAPS) which without that help they could not afford the insane rent people are being charged nowadays for a small little apartment ($1, 200-$1, 800 and up) and would be out on the streets. So how on earth are they expected to pay some fake fancy assisted living or nursing home $4, 000-$10, 000 a month? It would appear all we can do is try to take care of ourselves, try not to fall down and break a hip or back, take our medicine, keep our doctor appointments, try not to ever get sick and pray we die in our sleep. Geesh, there seems to be no answers to anything anymore that makes sense.

[carolw]

My Mom went into assisted living when she was 94 and passed about 3 years later by then she was in the memory care area. I felt she received good care. However at her passing they were changing management and not for the better. In memory care her door was left open so the staff could peek in and check on the clients when ever they passed by. Under new management doors were closed. A lot of the patients couldn't remember to ring the bell. Also more isolated unless they had a roommate. My Mom seemed happy to have people around and enjoyed the little programs they had. I was lucky in finding the one I did. A lot of the quality of care depends on who is running things.

[cesterly]

Looking forward to living down by the river in my well maintained, paid off Van.

[jamesodell]

When my mother needed to go to assisted living the minister of a church across the street from my business recommended one. I took my mother there unannounced. They were having their monthly birthday party for residents. Everyone was happy and friendly. Talked to several members of the staff and residents. The price was reasonable. About two weeks later my mother moved in and lived the rest of her life there. She was much happier there then she was in her old home. She was around contemporaries and enjoyed their company.
I would advise talking to a minister or priest. They go to these assisted living and nursing home facilities. They know which are the best and which ones to avoid.

[debrarouselle]

Included in rent where I worked were: food, rent, utilities, laundry once a week Apt cleaning, certain bus trips, all residents were checked on every 2 hours at night. Those who needed more assistance were checked on more frequently.
No facility/community is perfect nor is it like home but check everything out, talk to the residents before entering a contract.
No extra fee could be charged unless agreed to by the guarantor in writing !
I worked in St. Augustine, Fl no one was ever put out on the sidewalk due to late or no payments.

[ChrisJohnston-zu]

Here's another way assisted living facilities LIE to potential customers-they will tell you that there is a nurse and/or a doctor "available" 24 hours a day, seven days a week. What you are not being told is that after a certain time (usually after or around 11PM) the nurse that is "available" is a home, sleeping and is only "on call", meaning they have their cell phone on. I know this because I was a nurse who worked the later shift and when I left, the residents were left at the mercy of CNAs who usually slept through the shift.
As far as a doctor being available, the only time a doctor was on the premises was when they came to examine their own patients. There was NEVER a doctor waiting at the facility for an emergency to happen. The doctor that was "available" 24/7 was the "medical director" who did absolutely nothing except collect a big salary. I tried calling the "medical director" during several different dire emergencies and was screamed at to never call him again. Always ask if these people physically on the premises and GET IT IN WRITING.

[billyandrews]

Unexpectedly found myself (69) handling my stroke "victim" brother's (78) personal & business affairs. TOTALLY unprepared, psychologically for the challenges. Therapy is helping.

[cindkmac]

Worked at all inclusive senior facility in Florida for years. It’s all about staff. No place is good because of staff, not caring and they don’t hire enough people but they do their best but pay low and they aren’t happy most of the time. I’d not want mom to go there unless I could live close by and be an active advocate. Otherwise the seniors can suffer!

[NPC]

My parents had to go into an assisted living facility and everything you’re saying is true. The price is exorbitant and each year the rent goes up. It was really sad to hear so many of the residents being scared and upset that they might not be able to pay the amount. In addition, most facilities don’t pay their staff enough so staff turn around is also a problem.

[HighCountryRambler]

I'm nearing that dilemma with my wife after her stroke 5 yrs ago. Retired early and been caring for her since but the daily grind is taking it's toll on me, mentally and physically. Bit of advice, when you work and plan a lifetime for a active retirement and take care of yourself preparing, if your spouse goes down so do you. After visiting my mom in a nursing home every week for 5 years, I couldn't live with myself if I put her there. And I can't live with myself watching my final years click off a calendar like this. Only in our 60's with the constant feeling is this all there is?

[annthrockmorton]

Some opt for Assisted Living facilities in other countries, where the culture is more respectful of elders, and the cost of care is more affordable.

[kulamassally]

Sir. You are one hundred percent right. The residents don't get much of what they paid for. Space so limited. I've worked in nursing home for the past ten years. The residents themselves say these things. Some families just drop their love ones and hardly check on them. Most do these businesses for profit. The Government needs to constantly check on these facilities or family members take care of their love ones at home and be part of the care plan.

[katehazel]

Before retirement we need to think about how can I make my life easier. Home too big, downsize, ranch preferable. Exercise, walk swim something easy on the body. Need help, get meals, join senior centers, churches stay engaged and get ideas. Don't hide your health issues! We need to find grace in our older years nit stubbornness. Visit people in assisted living before you need it! They are lonely.

[lauraanderson]

My mom’s Assistant Living place is absolutely all inclusive for the monthly price. It is also the same place my grandparents were in and they enjoyed it. Many of the same workers are still working there too.

[NurseViv]

I am a memory care nurse in a CCRC (continuous care retirement community) and everything Clark said is TRUE..And unfortunately the sales staff even within the communities themselves can be guilty of “bait and switch”, SMH. You must get everything in writing and nothing as a verbal agreement…Always have a paper trail!

[ithacacomments]

My mother was a resident of a skilled nursing facility for 3 years. Charged $30, 000. for the first 2 months ....took all her life savings.
Then she qualified for Medicaid coverage.
She died from sepsis in 2023 at the age of 93 when the staff failed to investigate her complaints of a UTI in a timely manner.

[twiley]

My mom was in a beautiful place and they had some extras like giving her her medications each day or room service for meals. Not outrageous. I loved them and they took care of all of the family. Ran her 5, 000 a month but she was happy and LOVED the staff! ❤I pray others can find such a lovely setting