Many of us reach a point when moving from independent living on our own is no longer in our best interest. I reached that point a few months ago, and did a lot of exploring to find the right ‘senior living’ community for me.
But, I went about it in a way I can’t recommend, in hindsight. I was most interested in the actual living quarters, the activities provided, the food, and the kind of people who would be living there. I assumed something I had no right to assume! Maybe it’s reasonable to assume that a large facility, non-profit, serving 200-300 people would have a doctor on call during daytime hours, weekdays at least, but that proved not to be the case. And, because I needed respite care for two weeks after an eye procedure I learned the hard way. Hard to believe, but they were complying with legal requirements for a skilled nursing center, when they only had a medical doctor on site, one day a week!
I developed a stiff neck during my first week of respite, and wanted some medical attention. I had no tylenol with me for the pain, but when I asked for some, I was told to ask my daughter to bring it to me, or go to a hospital!!! IN independent living, a resident of this facility is totally on their own to provide for their medical care. They certainly cannot rely upon this once-a-week physician to do that.
So, if you or a loved one has need of a continuing care facility, here is an important set of questions I now think it wise to ask up front:
1. Do you have a physician on the premises five days or seven days a week? If so, what are their hours? Do you have back-up physicians on staff who can assist with urgent medical conditions that really don”t reach 911 proportions, where going to a hospital emergency room is not indicated?
2. Do you have nurse practitioners on the premises 24/7 who are able to prescribe minimal pain relief, like tylenol for example for an urgent situation, even in the middle of the night?
I maybe able to arrange for my own medical care outside the institution itself now that I know, but I sure am glad I found out before I signed a contract to move in permanently without knowing.
The weird thing is that I made this mistake four years ago, when I was also looking for a senior living community. I found one I loved: food, pool, activities, living quarters. I simply assumed that the medical facility was great also. It wasn’t! I chatted up a person who happened to be a 90 year old physician living there who told me about flaws in the medical system that remained uncorrected, even after he made suggestions what should be done to improve patient care.
So, if you do not know people who can speak highly of the institution you are considering, here’s something else you can do. Go there. During mealtime. Sit down and chat with residents, and ask THEM what they think of the medical care in that facility. Due to Covid restrictions I was not able to do that this time, but it is very informative.
Ask the right questions!
Excellent advice! Thanks.
By the sounds of it, you moved into an assisted living. I know of no assisted living facilities or even nursing homes that have a doctor available every day. Most assisted living places don’t even have 24-hour nurses, but I would look for one that at least offers that.
This is confusing because you use terms interchangeably that are not the same. There is a skilled nursing facility with a higher standard of care and medical staff, A rehab facilty may be part of their services. Assisted Living is different where you are expected to take your own medications and have your own healthcare, except they will monitor your meds for an extra fee. Then there is a retirement home in which only food and housekeeping services are provided. These vary state to state. In California there are licensed homes that provide care to maximum of 6 people in a home environment and also administer drugs. Only a skilled nursing facility has healthcare available and it is usually short term or the person requires continued tube feedings, IVs, or is non responsive.
Great advice.
Wow this is excellent advice. Thanks for sharing. I don’t know what I will do when that time comes. I am in my early 70’s and I live alone in a large low-income apartment building with 150 “units” and people of all ages coming in and out. Some elders, but mostly middle aged and young people. A lot of moving in and out. On the corner of two very busy streets in a very dense neighborhood. Not so bad before the Pandemic hit, but since then very uncomfortable for me. I am experiencing a host of so-called “minor” health issues one after the other, no one to really help or talk to. I am on my own. My 2 daughters live in town but one is a full time doctor and has NO TIME or inclination, and the other runs a small business and is very busy. Aging in America is a crapshoot! We need to pray this new bill passes that will create a huge social safety net for all of us!
Thanks. That is good advice.