Finding the right assisted living option in Los Angeles can be daunting. The sheer amount of information – and misinformation –  published on the web, combined with the infinite choices in this major metro city are enough to overwhelm anyone, let alone someone dealing with a family member in need.

You may have heard of a friend’s mom living in a great place that you want to check out, or have driven past a community in a great location and want to jump right to the tours, but there are important steps your family must take in assessing your loved ones needs before hitting the pavement. 

Assessing Your Loved Ones Needs for Assisted Living:

  1. Care Level/ Health Needs: Not all communities offer the same level of oversight or care. The first step in evaluating this important choice is to have a frank conversation about the level of care your loved one needs.
    Are they incontinent? Are they wheelchair-bound? Can they get in and out of a chair or bed by themselves? Are they a fall risk? Do they have diabetes or require blood pressure monitoring? Are they experiencing cognitive decline? All of these factors can play into which type of assisted living facility or board and care home is the right fit.

  2. Budget: How will your loved ones’ living expenses be funded? Do they have retirement savings or long-term care insurance? This is another important step before setting out on tours.

  3. Hobbies/Interests: An engaging environment and regular mental and physical stimulation can do wonders for delaying aging in your parents. It’s important to find an assisted living community that is a good fit culturally, as much as it’s important to find a community that meets their care needs.
    How does your loved one spend their free time? What do they like to do? Where do they like to go? What kind of people do they like to hang out with? Many Los Angeles communities offer a wide range of activities for residents – are they a Ted Talk and concert goer or do they prefer things like games and casino visits?

  4. Desired Location: In a large city like LA, location is important. Is your loved one hoping to be in the middle of the action in West Hollywood? Near family in the San Fernando Valley? Closer to the water in Pacific Palisades or Santa Monica? Desired location, combined with budget considerations, are important to review before setting out for tours.

  5. Continued Care Needs: Every community should be assessed for your loved one’s needs now – and in the future. Ensuring that the community you choose can care for your loved one now and in the future is a significant consideration. You don’t want to have to do it all again a couple of years down the line. Many communities in Los Angeles offer assisted living as well as a secured memory care wing in the same building.  It’s important to consider the right community for your loved one today, tomorrow and in the next few years.

You can cut through the clutter by partnering with a local senior living advisor well-versed in the industry and your options in LA. At Assisted Living Locators, we’re your advocates from the beginning, helping you to determine all of the factors above and more – and then we take you on tours. We spend our days in these communities, speaking with residents, observing and getting to know the staff, and reviewing state health records. You don’t have to do this alone.

Interested in learning more? Be sure to call us at 310-853-8282, our service is always free of charge to you.

About Assisted Living Locators

Since 2003, thousands of families have been helped by Assisted Living Locators, one of the nation’s leading free senior living placement services. The Los Angeles office is operated by Sarah Ordover, owner of Assisted Living Locators Los Angeles. Her team services clients from Glendale and Burbank to Santa Monica, including West Hollywood, Century City, Westwood, and everything in between. The office also represents clients looking for senior living south of Ventura Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley in neighborhoods such as Sherman Oaks, Encino, and Studio City. The Los Angeles office can be reached at assistedlivinglocators.com/contact-us.