What to Expect During an Assisted Living Assessment

Assisted Living Assessments and How They Help Create the Right Level of Support

Choosing assisted living is a loving choice that allows your loved one to receive the support they need without giving up their independence. Moving a loved one into assisted living means trusting someone else to meet them where they are. That’s exactly what an assisted living assessment is for. Before your loved one moves in, a nurse or wellness specialist from the assisted living community will assess their daily needs to determine which level of care is right for them.

The level of care assessment is also the foundation of a personalized care plan. At The Herrick House, we understand how important it is to get this right. We welcome family input during assessments so we can offer the right support from the beginning.

The initial assessment isn’t the last one. We’ll reassess your loved one often. Our affiliation with Beth Israel Lahey Health makes this easy. Our nurses are on duty 24/7, and they often notice small changes before they affect daily living. This allows us to adjust the care plan proactively. This is when visiting your loved one takes on new meaning. You’ll be able to enjoy your time together without worrying about changes going unnoticed, because we’re on top of it.

What Is an Assisted Living Assessment?

An assisted living assessment is a formal evaluation to make sure your loved one receives the right level of care and support for daily needs. Assisted living communities are required by law to assess new residents and reassess them at least every six months and when needs change.

At The Herrick House, our whole-person approach means focusing on physical, cognitive, emotional, social and spiritual needs. We see your loved one as a unique individual and build our wellness programs and activities around their needs. It’s not enough just to provide a place to live with basic support. We want them to enjoy an elevated lifestyle, and that starts with a care plan designed especially for them.

Many families worry that an assessment could disqualify their loved one from assisted living. An initial assessment does consider whether an assisted living community is the right choice. However, the main goal is to determine what level of care to provide and make sure none of their needs fall through the cracks.

What the Assessment Covers

An assisted living assessment is a comprehensive review of your loved one’s health status and needs. It’s the foundation of a truly personalized care plan that allows your loved one to look forward to daily life. It includes:

• Physical health and medical history: health conditions, medications, past hospitalizations, balance and fall risk
• Activities of daily living: support needs for daily tasks, including dressing, bathing, eating, toileting and mobility assistance
• Cognitive function: memory function, decision-making and safety concerns
• Emotional and social needs: signs of isolation, depression or anxiety, activities your loved one enjoys
• Dietary needs and preferences: allergies and sensitivities, likes and dislikes, nutritional and hydration status, specific needs

Because we’re located on the Beverly Hospital campus, the assessment, including lab testing, can happen in the comfort of your loved one's apartment.

How Care Adapts as Your Loved One’s Needs Change

A change in needs doesn’t mean your loved one has to move out of assisted living. Ongoing assessments mean they get senior care and support that adapts as needs change. At The Herrick House, we welcome your loved one, knowing their needs will change. It doesn’t surprise us. We’re prepared to reassess and adjust as each change happens. We will update the personalized care plan and continue offering the same elevated lifestyle as always, but with added support. That might include:

• Additional help with activities of daily living as they become more challenging
• Updated dietary support for changing health conditions
• Medication management when meds increase or become confusing
• Transition to memory care without leaving the community when cognitive function declines to a specific point

Extra support allows your loved one to continue living as independently as possible while enjoying a convenient lifestyle, laughter with friends and quality time with you.

Find the Right Level of Support for Your Loved One at The Herrick House

If your loved one needs more support or would like a more convenient lifestyle, assisted living offers both. Our assisted living assessment process makes sure your loved one gets the right support from day one and every day after.

We’d love to talk to you about the lifestyle your loved one could enjoy at The Herrick House. Download our Assisted Living Guide to learn more or contact us to schedule a tour and see our beautiful community for yourself.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. It's recommended to consult with a medical, legal, or financial professional for your specific circumstances.