Is assisted living suitable? Call or visit assisted living facilities in your area to determine what services they provide and whether these services will be suitable for you or your loved one. The definition of "assistance" can be vastly different in various facilities. Similarly, the "age in place" promise at some assisted living facilities (meaning that you will not need to move as your needs increase) can have limits or strings attached. Find out about all the terms and conditions for staying in the residence of your choice.

Comparison shop. You need not accept a room or apartment in the first facility you see. You can take your time and find a new home you or your loved one will enjoy. Visit as many facilities as possible, keeping in mind the services required and how easily these can be provided. Your first visit should usually include a meeting with the administrator and a tour.

Do some research. You want to make an informed choice, so get all the information you can. Check marketing materials used by the facility or its parent company as well as the resident contract agreement.

Visit more than once: Once you have created a short list of possible facilities, go back to visit each one at least once more. You may wish to visit at different times, such as mealtimes, evenings, and weekends. In this way, you will get a true picture of the way the facility is run and determine whether the day-to-day atmosphere is pleasant. Be sure to speak informally to the staff, other residents, and/or their family members.

Ask a lot of questions. You are the client/buyer in this situation and should be as cautious as you are with any major purchase. Ask about prices and when and why your costs might increase. Do the rates quoted include every service you want? If not, how much will these extras cost? How is an assessment made of each resident's needs? How often is this assessment reviewed and compliance monitored? Also ask questions about refunds, transfers, and discharges. What if the residence were to close? What provisions exist to secure the rights of the people living there? If a resident is unhappy with some aspect of the facility, how are complaints handled?

Remember, the resident contract should formalize all the agreements and promises made to you. Be sure you read it through carefully before you sign it. Consider having an attorney who specializes in seniors' issues review the contract, especially if you find any part of it confusing or ambiguous.

Can you afford it? Decide early on what you will be able to afford and plan accordingly. Will your adult children be able to help you finance your long-term needs? They may wish to discuss this aspect among themselves.

When an elderly person moves to an assisted living residence, it is often because their adult children have suggested the time has come to do so; and they are often involved in choosing the senior's new home. However, adult children should avoid making the final choice of residence for the senior. They should keep in mind that the senior's comfort, interests, needs and wishes—and not their own convenience—must take precedence.