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What Is an Assisted Living Assessment?

Caregiver working with a senior resident

When you think a loved one needs additional support at home, it can be difficult to decide which level of care is the best option for them. There are several options to choose from, from standalone independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing options to Life Plan Communities, like Galleria Woods, that offer independent living with on-site assisted living and skilled nursing.   

 To help determine which level of care will keep your family member the most active and engaged, the staff at a senior living community will conduct an in-person senior living assessment of your loved one’s mental and physical health. 

Even if your loved one wants to move into independent living, an assessment will be conducted to ensure they’re able to live fully on their own or determine whether some level of additional support is needed. If care is needed, your family member’s assessment will be vital in helping the community create a personalized plan.  

Who Conducts an Assisted Living Assessment?

A senior living assessment is performed to determine your loved one’s current care needs and is often conducted by a nurse or another admissions employee at the retirement community. A typical assessment will examine and rank your family member’s behaviors, chronic illnesses, communication abilities, dietary requirements, ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), ability to manage medications, need for assistive devices and much more. Senior living communities will typically want family members and/or caregivers to attend the assessment to help with information gaps and provide objective insight.  

What is Involved in an Assisted Living Assessment?

Any assessment will require making a list of all the special requirements your loved one may need. While some questions may get quite personal and cover topics that aren’t openly discussed, to help you and your family make the best choice, it’s important to answer them honestly. Here are some of the questions to expect: 

  • Special supportive services: Does your loved one need oxygen or have any needs that would require extra assistance from the community’s staff? 
  • Activities of daily living: Can your family member dress and feed themselves? Do they need help getting in and out of a chair or bed? Are they able to bathe themselves? 
  • Dietary/nutritional needs: Do they need to follow a low-salt and/or low-fat diet? Are there other dietary restrictions as well? 
  • Mobility: Does your loved one need a cane, walker, wheelchair or mobility scooter? How steady are they on their feet? 
  • Housekeeping: Is your family member able to do laundry, wash the dishes and clean their living area? 
  • Mental condition and confusion: Is your family member aware of people, places and time? Do they have occasional confusion and some difficulty recalling details? Do they occasionally need some prompting, or does their confusion/disorientation mean they need regular prompting? 
  • Transportation: Is your loved one able to drive, or can they use public transportation? 
  • Medical needs and monitoring: What are your family member’s medical needs, and how often do they need to be monitored? 
  • Medication administration: Does your loved one remember to take their medication? 
  • Health issues and conditions: Does your family member have any of these conditions – arthritis, diabetes, cancer, dementia, digestive disorders, hearing impairment, heart trouble, high blood pressure, incontinence, stroke, visual Impairment – and how much do they impact their ability to be independent? 
  • Fall history and risk: Has your family member ever fallen? Have they fallen in the last three months? If so, have they fallen more than once? 
  • Level of mobility: Is your loved one independently mobile? Do they need an assistive device? Do they require the help to get in/out of bed or a chair? Can they get around on their own in a wheelchair, or do they need someone to push it? Do they require more than one person to help get around? 
  • Bathroom assistance: If your loved one has bowel or bladder incontinence, can they manage it on their own or with the help of protective and/or assistive devices? Do they need to be reminded to go to the bathroom? Do they need to be reminded to wear protective garments? Do they need help getting to and using the bathroom? Do they require the help of more than one person?  

How to Prepare for an Assisted Living Assessment

To help you prepare for a family member’s upcoming assessment, here are some steps to take: 

  • Gather detailed information about your loved one’s medical history, current health conditions, medications and health care providers. 
  • Observe and note your family member’s daily routine, including any challenges or assistance required. 
  • Discuss with them their preferences for daily activities, social interaction and lifestyle within the community. 
  • Prepare a list of questions and concerns to address during the assessment. 

Empowering Your Loved One to Greater Independence

Regardless of the initial level of living, periodic senior living assessments will be conducted to ensure your loved one is getting all the care and support they need to safely remain independent. Have a loved one that could benefit from assisted living? Galleria Woods is an award-winning assisted living community, recognized by US News and World Report for our care and lifestyle. For more information about our community or for information on how to pay for assisted living, call us or contact us here to schedule a visit today!