Assisted living or an adult family home? How to choose
In Washington, families have a choice many other states don’t offer as widely: the adult family home. It’s worth understanding how it compares with assisted living before you start touring.
Assisted living
A community with private apartments, a dining room, activities, and staff around the clock. Residents get help with daily routines like bathing, dressing, and medications.
Often a great fit for someone who: enjoys people and activities, wants their own apartment, and needs a moderate amount of help.
Adult family homes
A licensed home in a regular neighborhood caring for a small number of residents. The setting feels like a house because it is one, and many homes provide a high level of hands-on care.
Often a great fit for someone who: does better in a quiet, familiar-feeling setting, needs more personal attention, or would be overwhelmed by a large building.
Questions to ask either one
- Who is on duty overnight, and how many residents are they caring for?
- How is care priced, and what makes the price go up?
- What happens if care needs increase? Can they stay?
- How do they communicate with families?
- Can you visit at a mealtime?
Every place feels different in person. That’s why I schedule the tours and come with you, so you can focus on how it feels while I keep track of the details.