Family Assisted Living Decision Checklist

Before searching for facilities, understand what level of care is actually needed.

• Document specific safety incidents in the past 30–60 days (falls, medication errors, wandering, stove left on).

  Specific, dated examples are more useful than general concerns when talking to doctors or lawyers.

• Assess activities of daily living (ADLs): bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, eating.

  Difficulty with 2+ ADLs typically indicates the need for assisted living.

• Assess instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs): managing medications, finances, transportation, meals.

  Difficulty with multiple IADLs may indicate the need for more support.

• Assess cognitive status: Is there confusion, memory loss, or behavioral changes that affect safety?

  If dementia is present, memory care may be more appropriate than standard assisted living.

• Consult with the primary care physician about the appropriate level of care.Priority

  A physician's assessment is required for assisted living admission in California.

• Determine whether standard assisted living, memory care, or board-and-care is most appropriate.

  Placing a parent in the wrong level of care is one of the most common — and costly — mistakes.