It can be difficult knowing the right time to transition a loved one into a retirement community. And once you've come to that decision, how can you find a quality place for them to live that you know is safe and trustworthy?
A Place for Mom helps answer all your questions, putting your mind at ease. They can help you find the best senior living facility for your loved one. No matter what level of care or type of facility you're looking for, you can feel confident that you're in good hands when finding a home for mom or dad.
In this guide, we'll go over all the services included in A Place for Mom, what types of communities they work with, and all the other details you need to know to make an informed decision.
What Is A Place for Mom?
A Place for Mom functions as a brokerage firm for finding senior care. It is a privately held for-profit company that was founded in 2000 in Seattle, Washington. The company provides professional and personal assistance for families that are looking for different senior care options.
A Place for Mom currently has more than 874 employees around the globe. It was founded in July 2000 by Brian Trisler, John Temple, and Pamela Temple. The company received $9.5 million in venture capital in 2006 from Battery Ventures.
Warburg Pincus, a private equity firm, purchased a majority stake of A Place for Mom in 2010. They then sold their majority stake in 2017 to General Atlantic, a growth equity firm, and Silver Lake, a technology investment firm.
A Place for Mom makes its revenue from referrals to providers and facilities in its network. That includes:
- Residential care homes
- Memory care and assisted living communities
- Home care services
- Independent senior apartments
A Place for Mom Reviews
A Place for Mom's overall satisfaction is currently rated at 96 out of 100. There are over 18,000 customer reviews on their website.
The positive reviews on their website state how their service and representatives were informative, helpful, and responsive. Some reviewers note that they were able to find a place for themselves or their loved ones quickly.
Reviewers also note that the representatives are kind, polite, and invested in helping them find the right community. They also comment that they would use the service again.
A Place for Mom's Process
The services provided by A Place for Mom are free for those who need them. Decisions can be made very quickly and representatives are there to help.
Here is how their service works:
- Speak with a Local Advisor: Once you reach out to A Place for Mom, they'll connect with you a local advisor who will conduct an assessment
- The assessment will cover the lifestyle of yourself or your loved one, amount of care needed, budget, and preferences
- Care Options: Your advisor will send you information on different senior living communities based on your assessment
- Select Your Community: Consult with your advisor, scheduling tours and getting tips when needed
- Move Into Your New Home: Once you've picked out your ideal place, get assistance on making the transition as easy as possible
Keep in mind that there is no cost to you for using A Place for Mom's services. They're paid by whatever community you choose to move into.
How Many Communities Does A Place for Mom Have?
Conveniently, A Place for Mom operates all throughout Canada. They serve the following areas:
- Toronto
- Vancouver
- Edmonton
- Calgary
- Mississauga
- Ottawa
- Winnipeg
- Surrey
- London
- Hamilton
Enter your city or postal code on their website to find an advisor near you.
Assisted Living
For those who need 24-hour care, an assisted living community is great for someone that needs help with their daily tasks but doesn't have continuous skilled medical needs. This can include medication management, grooming, and dressing.
These types of facilities include:
- Wellness programs
- Restaurant-style meals
- Housekeeping services
- Social outings and activities
- 24-hour emergency care
- Limited medical services
- Personal care
In an assisted living community, a person can choose from sharing a room or living in an apartment-style setting. It all depends on their preference and the options available.
Memory Care
If your loved one is living with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, a memory care facility can provide them with some much-needed quality of life. A memory care facility is more comprehensive than a general senior care community. It specifically caters to those living with memory problems.
There is typically a standalone wing or another floor of an assisted living community that has 24-hour supervised care dedicated to those with memory problems. The layouts of those areas are designed to be simple to navigate, which decreases the chance of someone wandering around and getting lost. Care units dedicated to dementia patients have specific programs that are designed to delay dementia's progression.
Nursing Homes
Seniors with more serious medical needs can also receive long-term care at a nursing home.
Nursing homes vary depending upon the patient's needs. Some of them may be set up like hospitals and have nursing stations on each floor. There are also physical, speech, and occupational therapy programs available for those who need them.
In a long-term nursing home, they often have a homier and cozier atmosphere. Residents have less restrictive schedules and can make use of the various facilities on the premises.
Retirement Community
You can also look for A Place for Mom retirement communities for those looking for a more carefree lifestyle. These are designed for older adults who want to enjoy their retirement without worrying about keeping up their home and other chores. Independent living facilities offer maintenance and housekeeping services, dining options, and other social activities.
When Is the Right Time to Move a Loved One Into a Senior Care Residence?
As our loved ones age, it's important to keep an eye on signs that they're unable to care for themselves anymore. Knowing how much assistance they need will be important when speaking to your A Place for Mom advisor.
If you believe your relative or friend may not be safe living on their own, consider these following items:
- Do they need help with eating?
- Can they use the restroom by themselves?
- Do they need assistance with standing, walking, or laying down?
- Do they have issues with personal hygiene?
- Are they having trouble remembering to do daily tasks?
In addition to needing help with daily tasks and personal upkeep, there are other health issues that may be red flags.
- Worsening or chronic health problems
- Recent falls
- Poor eating habits
- Unable to manage medications
- Decreased driving competency
- Neglect of pets
- Signs of depression or unhappiness
It can be hard for both you and your loved one to acknowledge when it's time for full or part-time care. If you're feeling concerned, talk to them about it, then reach out to A Place for Mom. They'll help you evaluate what level of care your loved one needs.
What Kinds of Amenities Do They Offer?
The types of amenities a senior living community offer depends on the type of facility and where it's located. A retirement community may have more amenities and social activities than a nursing home based on the level of medical care the residents need. If amenities are important to you, make a list of ones that you'd like to see in the facility you move your loved on into and provide that to your advisor.
Some amenities for senior living communities include:
- Linen and laundry service
- Housekeeping
- Beauty salons and barbershops
- Movie theatre
- Library/computers
- Communal garden or courtyard
- Private dining rooms
- Pool or spa
- Fitness center
- Swimming pool
- Full independent kitchen (for retirement communities)
- Group outings to local events
- Art studio
- Chapel
Most amenities will be included in the monthly fee to live at their facility, but some may require a small fee to use. Having lots of social activities and wellness programs to partake in will increase the mental health of your loved one. They're important things to consider when selecting a place.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost of an assisted living, memory care, nursing home, or retirement community varies based on your location and the facility itself. Some communities, like nursing homes, require a higher level of care so they cost than a community with a lower level of care.
There are various ways to pay for care for your loved one. Insurance plans do cover some facilities, but not the entire cost. If you're not able to afford the monthly cost, there are some ways to find funding:
- OAS (Old Age Security): For low-income patients who have already spent all their money and assets on nursing home care
- Reverse Mortage: Turn your home's equity into a large lump sum of money to pay for nursing home costs
- Benefits for Veterans: Military veterans or their spouse can qualify for a pension to offset the cost of their care
- Life Insurance: If your loved one has a life insurance policy, they may be able to borrow against it
Discuss your options with your A Place for Mom advisor. They can help you sort through the details.
Work With A Place for Mom
If you need help for mom, dad, or another loved one in your life, A Place for Mom can provide you with much-needed guidance. Deciding that it's time for your loved one to move into a senior living facility can be difficult but you don't have to do it alone. A qualified advisor can help you figure out what type of facility is best for your loved one and get them moved in quickly.
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