Do I Need to Qualify to Get into an Assisted Living Facility?
Most people are caught off guard when they come to the realization that you need to qualify to get into a retirement community. Finding this out can be very troubling especially if you have your heart set on a particular assisted living retirement community, and then to find out that you don’t qualify.
Planning ahead is the right way to go. Do research on which facility you’re interested in….find out what you need or don’t need to qualify for that specific community. Heart 2 Heart 4 Seniors will do all your calls and do your research to find out which assisted living facility or community will best fit your lifestyle and your health needs, as well as your financial needs.
Each senior retirement community or assisted living facility carries its own qualifications to be accepted to live in their ‘home’. Don’t put yourself in the position of not having a true choice. Heart 2 Heart 4 Seniors will help you become aware of the facilities around you and what they require to qualify for your future care.
There is no need for you to call all these communities! Our Senior Transition Specialists are familiar with these communities and can give you answers and assistance in finding the one that feels like home!
Assisted Living Facilities (ALF)
Assisted Living Facilities are fairly strict with their qualifications due to medical requirements and living assistance needed. All of these facilities require specific forms filled out by your physician to be able to move in. For example, a person must need assistance with activities of daily living, and it must be prescribed by a doctor. Activities of Daily Living is otherwise known as (ADL’s). Any prescription and non-prescription medications must be signed off by your physician.
Independent Living Communities
Rental retirement communities have qualifications that require a person to only need slight daily living assistance. In most instances to live in a senior retirement community, a person must be able to care for themselves and in case of an emergency, you must be able to leave your apartment without assistance. At most rental retirement communities, a health and/or medical application is done, and is reviewed by the administration. Most require a financial application to ensure you are able to pay your rent.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) are by far the most strict when it comes to what qualifications a person is required. At most CCRCs, a medical and financial application are to be completed in significant detail and put in for approval. These applications must be approved before a person can be accepted into residency. These types of communities are contractually obligated to care for you once you have been accepted into one of their facilities, and therefore are very sensitive on who they accept into their retirement communities. Because of this obligation, you may be asked to deposit a large sum of money before acceptance.
Overall, all of these communities are trying to determine a medical level of risk. They want to know if you are the best candidate for residency at their community and if they can care for you the way you require. Most of the medical applications for these facilities will consist of three parts. The application itself, a document from your physician or medical records, and a one-on-one assessment with an admissions counselor and/or health professional. In addition to the medical application, a financial application is also completed to allow the facilities/communities to qualify new residents.
Once these applications are accessed and approved the process of choosing your ‘new home’ can begin. Don’t be fooled, don’t be caught off guard or be left behind from the home you need. Find out what you need to qualify for the living community you may want.
Don’t let all this information scare you! We will hold your hand throughout this whole process. We know the communities and will ask the right questions for you!
By calling Heart 2 Heart 4 Seniors at 303-371-4100, our trained professionals can assist you in determining the best type of community that works for you and your family.
Our caring and knowledge will save you considerable time and stress.