Necessary Questions to Ask Independent Living Facilities (ILF)

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Several questions should be asked about the independent living facility including accessibility and safety inquiries, financial details, and social and leisure opportunity questions.

Accessibility

• Is the room accessible for this particular person?
• Is the bathroom big enough for special equipment and a wheelchair or walker if required in the future?
• Are any emergency pull cords or buttons accessible and in locations where the resident would need them the most? (including the shower)
• Is there a stove and is the aging adult safe to use the stove?
• Is there access outside? Balcony or patio in the room if this is important to the older adult.
• Are there thresholds or major surface changes within the living environment? This may be difficult to manage a walker or wheelchair over the thresholds and maybe a fall hazard.
• Are doorways accessible and are there any tight turns that could be a fall risk?
• Think about the furniture and overall layout of the apartment and how everything would fit and not block doors, windows, vents, etc. just as you would anywhere else. And more importantly, ensure there is room for open floor space and pathways for the potential use of a walker or wheelchair.

Emergencies

• How are medical emergencies handled? Will a nurse come to assess, will staff assist with medical needs, or will the resident need to seek medical attention independently? Is the family called? Are there specific protocols (must go to ER if someone hits their head, etc.)

Financial Details

• Ask how transitions to the next level of care are handled. Will there be a situation you will be paying rent for both apartments/rooms during the transition?
• Ask about the type of contract. Is the contract structured that there will be a fee-for-service? Is there an option for a lifetime contract where the fee stays the same and services can be provided for life regardless of financial hardship or changes in medical condition?
• What happens if the room is vacant? This can occur during hospitalizations or rehabilitation stays. Is there a decreased fee as the resident is not using staff resources for care?
• What is the move-out process? What type of notice is required? Are there any associated fees for breaking a lease?
• Ask about the overall financial picture of the company or facility. This is important to understand if there is a likelihood of new management (changing rules and prices), increased fees (for updates or to pay off debt), or even the possibility of needing to move campuses.
• How are concerns handled? What is the process for investigating an incident? Who handles complaints and what is the follow-up process?

Be sure to read the fine print and ask for clarifications regarding all details of the contact to ensure you are not surprised by any expensive misunderstandings!

Dining and Meals

• What are the dining times?
• What are the meals plans? Some meal plans only include two meals a day.
• Can they accommodate special diets and dietary restrictions?
• Can they offer modified diets for swallowing difficulties?
• Can they provide a sample of the menu? What are some frequently served meals or food items?
• Take note of the dining room atmosphere and if it is social and welcoming.
• What is the set-up of the dining room? Is there a place to park walkers and wheelchairs or can they be brought all the way to the table? Are walkers allowed at the buffet?
• Is there an extra cost if meals are delivered to the room?

Social and Leisure Opportunities

• Ask about the available activities, community groups, outings, and leisure options. Speak with the activities director and ensure activities align with unique individuals’ personalities. Ask to attend an activity or community group meeting.
• Ask about orientation and integration into the new living situation. Some places have ambassador programs or similar options to be paired with a resident that helps introduce the new resident to others in the community. Some communities (memory care) may develop a resident profile to better understand how to meet their social and leisure needs.
• What is the overall social environment? This question may be best answered by visiting the facility and noticing if residents are mostly in their rooms or being social, sitting outdoors, leaving for outings, etc.

Diversity

• Consider the overall diversity of the community. Would a person of color feel comfortable in the community? Are there multiple options to express one’s religion or meet spiritual needs?

Rules and Regulations

• Are pets allowed?
• Are guests allowed? If so, for how long?
• If someone needs a temporary live-in caregiver, is there an additional fee? Can they also order from the dining room and what is their meal fee?
• Are there apartment modification restrictions on wall hangings, light installations, if non-skid strips can be added to the floor, if certain types of equipment are banned (bed canes are sometimes banned), if extra grab bars can be installed in bathrooms, etc.?
• Are there specific quiet times?
• Are power wheelchairs allowed and are there additional rules for power wheelchair use? Some facilities require passing a during screen and signing a contract (for liability reasons).
• How many vehicles may you have? What about guest parking availability?

Be sure to read Questions to ask a Continuous Care Retirement Center (CCRC) for additional questions!

It is important to take a list of questions with you to ensure you do NOT miss any major points. Then take your time reviewing the contracts and ask for clarification or even legal advice as needed.

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Related Posts:

Is an Independent Living Facility the Right Fit for Me or my Aging Parent

What is a Continuous Care Retirement Center (CCRC)?

Questions to ask a Continuous Care Retirement Center (CCRC)

Transitions during Older Adulthood Presentation

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