My parents are looking for an assisted care facility. Websites that offer help locating the best match, such as A Place For Mom have a financial incentive to recommend only businesses that they contract with. I understand there are professionals who provide this service for a fee paid by the clients rather than the facility in which the client is placed. But, I have been unsuccessful in locating any such professional in Orange County, California. Any suggestions as to how to proceed in this search?
One needs to preview a lot of places as each case is different. What might work for one parent may not be what is needed for your parent. Only you know what would work best.
Check all the websites, ask for brochures, set up a tour of the facility. What feels like "home" to you may not feel like "home" to someone else. I had crossed off a few places I had toured for a variety of reasons. Even one of the top 5-star places I crossed off as the place was just too big. The place that I thought was the best fit for my Dad, a smaller Victorian resort feel Dad loved it and we were quite pleased with the care he had received.
If possible, let the parent decide. He/she might find an old friend who is now living there :)
Also, your local home health agency can recommend a nearby ALF, you want it to be close to you.
Hope this helps!
You also ask their MD if Assisted Living is the right level of care. Too many people underestimate their parents' limitations and the AL has to ask them to seek a higher level of care.