Selecting an Assisted Living Facility Amid Covid 19

Embarking on the task of searching for the right assisted living community can be overwhelming enough, throw a medical pandemic to the equation and it becomes downright daunting. Before Covid 19, most families primary concern was money. How much will this cost, can they afford it, will the money last, and what happens if funds are depleted? Those were the good old days, because today the primary concern revolves around Covid 19 and how to avoid exposure.

If someone needs to move during this pandemic, then first and foremost you need to rule out any communities with active Covid cases. WFAA has a link of all facilities with Covid cases on their website. With communities on lockdown, no visitors of any kind allowed, how does a family tour? Let’s take a look at the step by step process of choosing a community in a Covid World.

Step One – Touring

Assisted Living and Memory Care Communities have become very creative, offering FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, and Facebook Messenger tours, as well as virtual online tours, and “window tours,” they literally pull all the blinds to a first floor apartment and let you look through the windows.

Step Two – The Assessment

Assessments are no longer in person unless the future resident is coming directly from their home. If someone is in the hospital or rehab, the communities nurse contacts the facilities nurse, or social worker to discuss current care needs, progress rehabilitating, and current medications requirements.

Often the facility will also email the communities nurse a “health and physical,” (H&P,) that details why the patient was admitted, any health problems, or mobility issue etc. If for some reason, the community is unable to get a clear picture of the future residents health needs, they will do their own face to face assessment on the day of move in.

If you can get a Covid test and results prior to move in, then communities that require a 14-day resident quarantine can be avoided all together in most cases.

Step Three – The Paperwork

Most communities are sending all the required paperwork via email and using DocuSign or something similar. If the signing person wants to review and sign paperwork in person, they are still asked to review everything prior to a one on one appointment with the Executive Director.

Step Four, Moving Day

Movers and or two family members are typically allowed to enter the community to setup the apartment. Everyone must wear masks covering the mouth and nose, as well as gloves. Once the apartment is setup, everyone must immediately exit the community. Visitors are strictly prohibited per Governor Abbott’s current order.