After my stepdad passed away in March 2020, my 88-year-old mother came to live with me in Arkansas. The move was intended to be for one month, then she would move to Assisted Living in New Orleans to be close to more members of her family. But with the Covid-19 shutdowns of ALs, Mom is waiting for them to re-open. With the risk of C-19 being greater in N.O. than in Arkansas, Mom may decide to choose an AL here instead. So I have renewed my local search and wonder what the staff ratio to residents should be. Also, Mom wants to know if she can go into hospice at an AL when and if that need arises. Or would she have to transfer to a nursing home?
My dad, at 98 1/2, is in assisted living at the least level of assistance which is medication management. The nurse checks twice a day and provides him his medication, takes his blood pressure, temp, etc. If he needs additional medical assistance the nurse will contact the facility doctor. The doctor is paid for through his medicare/insurance just like all doctors, and you are free to use your own doctor if you wish. If he needed additional assistance I could increase his level of care to include more supervision of daily activities or bathing etc. I have also asked for occasional additional cleaning when I'm not around to tidy up during the week by paying a one time charge instead of having to up his level of care.