Assisted-living facility, active adult community, continuing-care retirement facility – this is just the tip of senior jargon that you’ll see when you begin the search for a retirement home in Fairfax County, VA. It doesn’t help that each facility uses its own terminology and has completely different pricing structures. When it comes down to finding a place for mom and dad, comparing apples to apples is almost impossible.
What to Look Out for During Your Retirement Home Search
* Look beyond the crystal chandelier: A retirement home knows that first impressions count so many invest in fancy furniture and lobby displays to attract new residents. Remember that they are a business first and this doesn’t necessarily reflect the level of care that they provide.
* Prepare for airline-style fees and price increases: Although fees and payment structure are outlined in your residential contract, these are often subject to change, meaning that it’s important to read and understand the fine print.
* They’ll tell you when it’s time to move on: Facilities often hold broad discretion in the residents who are allowed to stay. Behavioral problems and costly medical issues could be grounds for getting “kicked out,” although facilities rarely admit these facts. It’s important to understand ahead of time what might trigger these types of decisions.
* They take Medicaid, but prefer not to: A retirement home doesn’t receive as much money from insurance such as Medicaid as it does from residents paying out of pocket. This makes Medicaid-paying residents less desirable than others.
What You Can Do
Talking with an expert senior advisor such as Oasis Senior Advisors – Fairfax County is the first step in finding an honest facility. Expert advice and comparisons can help you sift through “money-making homes” and find those that truly focus on senior care and quality of life. You can also like them on Facebook for more information.
