Assisted Living Options in Los Angeles

The need for in-home care or assisted living arrangements may come on suddenly due to a medical event, or may be realized gradually with age. For those who are still able to live independently but need some help with day-to-day life, assisted living options in Los Angeles offer in-home assisted living options as well as board and care homes or assisted living communities.

In-home assisted living options in Los Angeles offer the chance for seniors to stay in their home and get the assistance they need. For those who find the in-home idea appealing, talk with various agencies providing home assistance to make sure they will be able to access your needs and develop a plan to meet current and future needs. Whether you prefer in-home or a community setting it is also important to make sure care givers are licensed and that they are set up for a payment method that works for you.

Board and care homes are another option in Los Angeles. These homes usually house a small number of residents and offer a home-like environment which provides a personal touch. This is an ideal setting for people who need a little more attention than is often offered in a larger assisted living facilities. The more intimate setting provides a higher level of privacy, too, and staff-to-resident ratios make it possible for a more one-on-one approach for care.

Many retirement communities offer assisted living services that include basic day to day assistance like personal hygiene, household chores, and transportation. However, in Los Angeles you'll also find assisted living communities that accept residents with more demanding needs such as those with dementia, Alzheimer's, or Parkinson's. When talking with various facilities talk with them about the level of care they provide.

• Alzheimer's/Dementia care
• Bathing (at least twice a week)
• Daily ambulating help to get around to activities, meals, etc.
• Dressing
• Grooming
• Incontinence care
• Medication management

Along with finding a new home that offers the level of care you need, other important elements to take into consideration as you make your decision include:

• Location and proximity to family, church, hospitals and personal doctor
• Social activities: Does the home offer social activities
• Financial: How will you pay for assisted living care?
• Insurance: Does the facility your considering accept your insurance?
• Pets: Will they allow your pet to live in your new home?

Finding the right home or care facility takes time and research, so get started. Los Angeles is a retirement hot spot with an average of 320 days of sunshine a year. Because of this, it is not unusual for popular assisted living communities and homes in Los Angeles to have waiting lists, so if you know assisted living is a need in your near future, get your name on the list early. Assisted living can offer a quality of life alternative to nursing homes.