What is assisted living?

Assisted Living communities such as New Horizons at Marlborough and New Horizons in Woburn offer a unique combination of housing and personalized care designed to respond to the individual needs of those who require, or may later require, assistance with activities of daily living. A typical Assisted Living residence offers a supportive, residential setting for those who are unable to continue to live alone, but do not need the 24-hour skilled medical care of a nursing home.

All New Horizons Programs include:

Three meals daily, in delightful common dining rooms; light housekeeping services; scheduled transportation; 24-hour on-duty staff; emergency call systems; health promotion and exercise programs; and, social and recreational activities. New Horizons' third-party Assisted Living provider (Care Solutions, Inc. at New Horizons at Marlborough and Winchester Home Care at New Horizons at Choate) provides assistance with eating, bathing, dressing, grooming, toiletries, transferring and walking, as well as medication management, all to varying degrees as may be needed and arranged.

The philosophy of Assisted Living Care, as stated by the Assisted Living Facilities Association of America is:

• Fostering independence for each resident.
• Treating each resident with dignity and respect.
• Promoting the individuality of each resident.
• Allowing each resident's choice of care and lifestyle.
• Protecting each resident's right to privacy.
• Providing a safe residential environment.
• Nurturing the spirit of each resident.
• Making the Assisted Living residence a valuable community.
• Offering cost effective quality care that is personalized for individual needs.
• Involving family and friends in care planning and implementation

How to Determine If Assisted Living Would Fit Your Needs

Assisted Living may be appropriate for individuals who need some assistance with activities of daily living, but who are not in need of skilled nursing home care. Generally, it is expected that residents are able to move from place to place by themselves or by using supportive devices such as a cane or walker. Wheelchairs are permitted when a resident is able to transport him or herself to and from his/her own bed. Residents must also be able to react appropriately in an emergency situation.

The emergence of Assisted Living residences benefits not only the elderly, but also their families. Studies have shown that, on average, for every senior needing assistance, there are at least three other individuals whose lives are affected - the spouse of the individual, children, and other family members and friends. When an elderly parent lives within an Assisted Living environment, all involved may find peace of mind.

Would Assisted Living be Appropriate
for Your Parent?

Carefully and honestly weigh your replies to the questions below. If many of these questins are applicable to your parent's current situation, you and your parent could very well benefit from an Assisted Living environment.

• Is your parent experiencing forgetfulness?
• Is there difficulty with grooming and personal hygiene?
• Is mobility becoming a problem?
• Does your parent eat properly?
• Are medications taken correctly?
• Is your parent socially isolated?
• Is loneliness a problem?
• Does he/she participate in fewer stimulating activities?
• Are current housing expenses excessive?
• Is emergency help readily available, day and night?
• Have family and friends moved away?
• Are you and/or others increasingly worrying about your parent's wellbeing?
• Is the current home difficult to maintain or inappropriate for an older person (too large, too many stairs, cupboards too high, bathrooms too small)?

The Emotional Decision

Since you're reading this material, you're probably familiar with the stress that comes from juggling the responsibilities of work, home, family, finances and concern for an aging parent. It's not easy to "parent your parent." The whole role-change situation has a tendency to become emotionally charged. Asking a parent to live in an Assisted Living residence is often an emotional decision, one which is confronted by hundreds of people every day.

For many, considering a supportive residence for a parent is a difficult step. You want to find a place where they'll be happy . . . a place that you're certain will take good care of your parent.

Some have feelings of guilt or inadequacy with their decision to not move their elderly parent in with them. This is natural; however, studies show overwhelming evidence that the vast majority of elders and their families are much happier, and report much improved relationships, after moving to an Assisted Living arrangement.

Some elderly resist Assisted Living residences because they deny the need for help. They don't want to admit that they should no longer live on their own, and don't want to lose their sense of control. It often helps to explain that a move is still their decision. You may choose to tell them that you are concerned about them, and that it would give you peace of mind and comfort if they would make the move to an Assisted Living residence. Another suggestion is to offer to assist them in deciding which one they like the best.

The Rational Decision

To deal with your own emotional feelings, try to make the most rational decision possible. Let your parent know that you understand the importance of the decision, and point out that moving to New Horizons, or any other of the many good Assisted Living residences, does not mean a loss of independence. On the contrary, it means the freedom to live more independently without the responsibilities of home ownership and without dependence on family or friends.

Throughout your discussions, encourage your parent's feelings that he or she has control over his/her life. You might want to sit down with your parent and write a list of the advantages. For example:

• No home maintenance or hassles.
• Delicious meals cooked for them.
• Full slate of social and recreational activities.
• Help is available if ever needed.
• The possibility of companionship and making new friends.
• Time and stress are reduced for everyone so you have more time to enjoy each other.
• Freedom to live independently in a private suite with their own belongings.
• If their abilities should ever increasingly fail, they are in a place where help is readily available without having to move away from a new life and friends.
  

The Tour

The best way to learn about any Assisted Living residence is to visit one. While there are many similarities, there are also many important differences. When visiting, let your senses tell you about the place. Allow the Marketing Director or Executive Director to show you around, and ask questions as you think of them. Never be bashful about what you ask.

Your parent can take these initial tours with you, but it is strongly recommended that you first find a residence you like, and then take your parent for a tour at a later date. Oftentimes, it helps a great deal to tour a community's website before visiting, and then see how well the program really compars with whatever appears on the website.

The following are some questions to consider having answered when visiting New Horizons or any other residence. All may not be important to you, but having these answers may help you determine if the residence really meets your needs.

• Is it convenient?
• Is it attractive and inviting, inside and out?
• Is the food tasty and attractively served?
• Is the residence well-lit inside?
• Is it too noisy (or too quiet)?
• Do you hear/see residents socializing?
• Are there attractive grounds and other surroundings?
• Is there a "homey feel" or an institutional atmosphere?
• How stable is the facility's management team?
• Do staff members show genuine interest in, and affection for, individual residents?
• Is it a secure, pleasant setting where your parent or loved one can enjoy an independent lifestyle along with the availability of supportive services to make life a bit easier - either now or in the future?
  

Costs

The monthly fees to live in an Assisted Living residence will often be much less than the costs of living at home with outside aid coming in. Look closely at what you're getting for the money: a place to live, three meals a day, assistance as needed - 24 hours a day, the possibility of new friendships, activities, scheduled transportation, most utilities and more. If you add the costs of each of these items, you may find that it is a very good value. At New Horizons, the overall cost of living will likely be less than living independently. In addition, no one can put a price on peace of mind and overall well being. Most residents who move to New Horizons, and their families, are somewhere between very happy and ecstatic with their decision, and ultimately happy that they made the move.

There are very different prices for different-sized suites and for different Assisted Living service plans. The staff of the residence will carefully go over all price structures and help you with any questions.

The Residence, Owner and Management

It is imperative to check the credibility and financial stability of the owner, management and the residence itself. Assisted Living has become very popular within the business community, and many facilities are being built, operated and managed by newcomers, who may lack experience and staying power. Sometimes, the issue for potential residents and their families is whether they are willing to take a risk with a new owner/manager who lacks a track record. You can have more confidence in your decision when the owner/manager has experience. Both New Horizons in Marlborough and Woburn are rock-solid financially, with decades of experience. Both are not-for-profit, and neither even has any sort of mortgage on its property.

Touring with Your Parent

When convenient for you and your parent or loved one, make an appointment to tour either of our facilities and enjoy a meal together. Encourage your prospective resident to ask questions and talk with people who live there. Most residents whom you encounter will be delighted to talk with you, they will and give you their very honest opinions.

As you tour, it may be helpful to identify on a personal level, many of the benefits of the program and the facility itself. For example: "What a warm and cheery room to watch your favorite TV show; What a friendly person, I'll bet you'll make a lot of new friends here; I can just imagine how pretty your suite will be when we bring your furniture and decorate; Won't it be nice to have friends to dine with every day?" By stating benefits, you will reassure your parent and ease your own transition. This will help you both look forward to the move.

If you choose to delay your decision, take note. Both New Horizons communities operate at near capacity, and the facility you plan to choose may not have a vacancy if you wait. It's a good rule of thumb to put down a fully refundable deposit, even if it is to just get your name on the waiting list, and you risk nothing. There is an advantage in already having a reservation when the decision to move is finally made.

Move-In Criteria

Once the joint decision is made, there will likely be an assessment of the prospective resident to determine the appropriate level of Assisted Living services necessary (if any), and to establish a Service Plan. Administrators will likely ask that your parent obtain a physical examination and that his/her physician fill out an information sheet. This is all very important to the health and welfare of your mom or dad.

Preparing to Move

The hardest part about the move may be choosing which pieces of furniture and belongings to take. Pull the floor plan of your loved one's new suite. Together you can pencil in appropriate places for furniture. This will not only help you decide which items to take, but it may also assure they fit and help determine the layout of the room prior to the actual move, saving you time.

Whenever possible, your loved one should be in charge of the move, taking responsibility even if it slows things up a bit. They may be indecisive, but instead of making decisions for them, help them make a choice for themselves. The more involved the parent, the less likely they will feel coerced or patronized, and the greater their commitment to their new home.

This information was designed to describe the role of an Assisted Living facility, spell out simple procedures for making the decision easier, and identify a few things to expect once the decision is made. We sincerely hope you found it helpful.

Throughout your search, you will come to see that most, but not all, Assisted Living residences are active, lively settings that promote healthy lifestyles and goodwill. They typically are not institutional settings with reclusive residents. Assisted Living residences are generally wonderful environments from which everyone benefits . . . the residents, their families, and even their friends.