How do you get mom into an assisted living home? Ask Vixcent Villaluna
Our parents are not getting younger. They are less able to run their lives, cook and clean. You may need an assisted living home for mom. You might as well get familiar with the process now, before you need to find somewhere else for mom. I asked Vixcent Villaluna, Licensee of Lakewood Villa, what you can do in advance.
“When you decide to put mom in an assisted living home,” says Villaluna, “you should become familiar with the admission process. That will help make the transition smoother and faster. Every assisted living home does things their own way.” Here are the steps you should expect:
- If your loved ones are not able to make decisions for themselves, get started on the Durable Power of Attorney. At some point, you will need this document. Someone will have to make some very responsible decisions regarding your loved ones’ care. That includes a very big decision. Should you put mom in an assisted living home?
- Call local assisted living homes for a tour. You can meet the administrator and the care staff in person. Make a list of all your questions and concerns. They will be happy to address all of them.
- Start the Resident Assessment Process. Meet the Administrator of the assisted living home. He needs to be able to meet and physically see your loved ones. He can evaluate their physical condition, mental state, medication and medical history. The assessment process is an important step. It helps the licensee determine if your loved ones are a good fit for that assisted living home. It helps you determine if that assisted living home is a good fit for mom.
- You have to be open and honest about all the background information. The licensee wants to make sure his home really is a good fit. He wants to make sure that your loved ones’ needs are within what he can provide.
- The Assessment Process is a very, very important step in the whole admissions process. You should make sure the facility administrator does a thorough assessment up front. If that does not happen, you could be in for a big surprise down the road.
- If you and the licensee both decide that assisted living home is the right place for your loved ones, he will determine the move-in date. Prior to move-in, he briefs you on some of the important papers he would need upon admission:
- Physician’s Report (LIC 602A). The California Department of Community Care Licensing actually mandates all care home facilities to have this upon admitting a resident. That particular physician’s report form must be completed and signed by their physician. It documents the loved one’s physical condition, mental condition and TB-clearance (tuberculosis). Your loved one has to be clear of TB before spending the first night at an assisted living home.
- Emergency Contact Form. This details the family emergency contacts. Who does staff call in case of emergency? Who is the primary care doctor? Which hospital do you prefer for EMTs to take them to in case of emergency?
- Admissions Agreement form. This includes a description of all items and services included in the basic rate. This covers the facility policies and procedures, conditions for termination of the agreement and a copy of residents’ rights specified by law or regulation.
- You also need to have their medications in place. Assisted living homes request at least a two-week supply of your loved one’s medications the minute they walk into the facility.
About the special guest
Vixcent Villaluna is the Licensee of Lakewood Villa, a premier residential care facility offering senior care and assisted living in Sacramento, California. Although many assisted living facilities are in Sacramento, you probably want a place for mom where she can feel safe, warm and loved. Lakewood Villa has staff onsite 24/7 to provide the assisted living and senior care to make mom comfortable in the Autumn of her days. Call (916) 682-2867 today for a tour of our residential care facility. For more info, see http://lakewoodvillacarehome.com/assisted-living-in-sacramento/.
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