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Assisted living is a supportive environment for family members who need some level of assistance with the activities of daily living or would like these services provided to them.
Choosing the right assisted living facility for a family member is a very important task. With a variety of options and facilities to choose from, it is best to be informed of the choices before visiting any facilities, and to have a list of questions ready when you do choose to visit.

Most states have a variety of living options available. Large national companies such as Atria or Sterling Glen list the following options: independent living, supportive living, enhanced care, residential care and memory care. These options involve varying levels of supportive services in meal provisions, laundry, housekeeping, dressing, bathing, transportation to physicians, and programs for Alzheimer's patients. I recently helped my father to locate and choose an assisted living facility, and found the following tips to be very useful:

1. Use an internet facility finder such as http://www.assistedlivinginfo. com/search.html to locate facilities in your target area.
2. Read the internet websites of all facilities in your target area. The websites will explain the programs and services that each community offers, and usually has floor plan diagrams of the available apartment/room designs. The website will also give you a basis for many questions that you may have for the facility managers.
3. Determine the level of assistance/care that your relative needs and try to narrow the list of facilities to those programs that meet your needs.
4. A strong recommendation, if you live in the same area as your relative, is for you to visit the facilities alone, meeting with the facility director with your question list, before bringing your relative for a visit. This will help you narrow down the list of facilities for your relative to visit.
5. The following is a sample question list for the facility:
a. Describe each level of care/services provided.
b. Does the facility provide three meals or two meals with the relative preparing one meal in their apartment?
c. Are laundry services provided?
d. What is the schedule/distance range of transportation to physicians?
e. Is there a nurse or aides available on the premises? Most facilities have an office from which you can hire personal aides.
f. Do the apartments have a security system in case the resident falls or has a medical problem?
g. Where is the closest hospital/emergency

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