Pre-Planning Assessment for Senior Living

Choosing the right living arrangement for your aging loved one feels overwhelming when you're considering multiple options without a clear starting point. Should they age in place with support services? Would an active independent living community suit their social nature? Do their care needs suggest assisted living, or would a continuing care retirement community provide the best long-term solution?

This assessment helps you cut through the confusion by focusing on what matters most: your loved one's preferences, current capabilities, and likely future needs. Rather than guessing which option might work, you'll have a clear direction for where to focus your research and visits.

Key Takeaways:

• A structured assessment reveals which living arrangements best match your loved one's current situation and preferences

  
  

• Scoring multiple options helps you prioritize your research time and facility visits

  
  

• Understanding your loved one's likely trajectory guides decisions that work both now and in the future

  
  

How This Assessment Works

This evaluation looks at six key factors that influence living arrangement success: your loved one's personal preferences, current capabilities, health and safety needs, social engagement style, financial resources, and anticipated future care requirements.

For each question, select the response that best describes your loved one's current situation. Each answer provides points toward different living arrangements, and your final scores will reveal which options deserve your closest attention.

Remember: this assessment guides your research priorities, not your final decision. The highest scores indicate where to start your exploration, not where you must end up.

Assessment Questions

1. Your Loved One's Wishes and Lifestyle Preferences

A. They want to remain in their current home with occasional help if needed. (Aging in Place: 2 points, Independent Living: 1 point)

B. They prefer a community setting with access to social activities while maintaining independence. (Independent Living: 2 points, Aging in Place: 1 point)

C. They value a supportive environment with help for daily activities and a safe, structured community. (Assisted Living: 2 points, CCRC: 1 point)

D. They want a setting where they can transition seamlessly as their needs change over time.(CCRC: 2 points, Assisted Living: 1 point)

2. Current Daily Living Capabilities

A. They handle daily tasks independently but need occasional assistance with things like grocery shopping or deep cleaning. (Aging in Place: 2 points, Independent Living: 2 points)

B. They need moderate help with personal care tasks like dressing, bathing, or medication management. (Assisted Living: 2 points, CCRC: 1 point)

C. They require substantial assistance or supervision for most daily activities. (CCRC: 2 points, Assisted Living: 1 point)

3. Health and Safety Considerations

A. They're in good health with minimal safety concerns in their current environment. (Aging in Place: 2 points, Independent Living: 1 point)

B. They have some chronic health conditions but can manage with occasional oversight and support. (Assisted Living: 2 points, CCRC: 1 point)

C. They require ongoing health monitoring and access to medical care. (CCRC: 2 points, Assisted Living: 1 point)

4. Social Engagement Preferences

A. They prefer staying in familiar surroundings and engaging primarily with family or close friends. (Aging in Place: 2 points)

B. They enjoy social activities, clubs, and group settings with peers. (Independent Living: 2 points, CCRC: 1 point)

C. They appreciate some social interaction but also need a supportive care community.(Assisted Living: 2 points, CCRC: 1 point)

D. They want the flexibility of independent living with easy access to social and care options.(CCRC: 2 points, Independent Living: 1 point)

5. Financial Resources

A. They can afford occasional caregiving services and minor home modifications. (Aging in Place: 2 points)

B. They have resources for housing that includes services, amenities, and activities.(Independent Living: 2 points, CCRC: 1 point)

C. They're financially prepared for moderate to high ongoing care costs. (Assisted Living: 2 points, CCRC: 2 points)

6. Anticipated Future Care Needs

A. Their care needs are unlikely to change significantly over the next five to ten years. (Aging in Place: 2 points, Independent Living: 2 points)

B. They may need more assistance with daily living activities in the near future. (Assisted Living: 2 points, CCRC: 2 points)

C. They're likely to need multiple levels of care as time progresses. (CCRC: 3 points, Assisted Living: 1 point)

Calculating Your Results

Add up your points for each living arrangement category:

• Aging in Place: _____ points

• Independent Living: _____ points

• Assisted Living: _____ points

• Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC): _____ points

Your highest score indicates the primary recommendation for your research focus. The second and third highest scores offer additional options worth exploring.

Understanding Your Results

If Aging in Place Scored Highest

Your loved one values familiar surroundings and maintains enough independence to thrive at home with appropriate support. Focus your research on in-home care services, safety modifications, and community resources that support aging in place successfully.

Next Steps:

• Research local in-home care agencies and their service options

• Assess home safety needs and modification possibilities

• Explore community resources like meal delivery, transportation services, and social programs

• Consider technology solutions for safety monitoring and communication

If Independent Living Scored Highest

Your loved one would benefit from a community environment that offers social opportunities while maintaining personal independence. These communities typically provide maintenance-free living with access to activities, dining options, and peer connections.

Next Steps:

• Visit independent living communities in your preferred areas

• Evaluate activity programs, dining options, and community atmosphere

• Understand what services are included versus additional cost options

• Consider communities that offer multiple levels of care for future transitions

If Assisted Living Scored Highest

Your loved one needs regular assistance with daily activities while benefiting from community engagement and social interaction. Assisted living provides personal care support within a residential community setting.

Next Steps:

• Tour assisted living facilities that specialize in your loved one's specific care needs

• Evaluate staff-to-resident ratios and care team qualifications

• Understand exactly which services are included in monthly fees

• Ask about policies for changing care needs over time

If CCRC Scored Highest

Your loved one would benefit from a community that offers multiple levels of care within a single campus, allowing for seamless transitions as needs change without relocating away from familiar surroundings and established relationships.

Next Steps:

• Research CCRCs in your preferred geographic areas

• Understand the different contract types and financial commitments

• Tour all levels of care within communities you're considering

• Review waiting lists and entrance requirements

Making the Most of Your Assessment Results

Use your top two scoring categories to focus your initial research and facility visits. If your scores are close between multiple options, that suggests your loved one might thrive in several different arrangements—giving you more flexibility in your search.

Consider geographic preferences, family proximity, and specific amenities that matter most to your loved one when narrowing down your options within each category.

Remember that needs can change over time. If aging in place scored highest now but CCRC scored second, you might plan for aging in place initially while researching CCRCs for potential future transitions.

Your Next Steps This Week

Take this assessment with your loved one if they're able to participate meaningfully in the conversation. Their input on lifestyle preferences and priorities provides crucial insights for making the best choice.

Use your results to create a focused research plan. Instead of trying to explore every option, concentrate on your top-scoring categories first. This targeted approach saves time and reduces the overwhelming nature of senior living decisions.

Schedule visits to facilities or services that align with your highest scores. Seeing your top options in person helps confirm whether your assessment results match the reality of what would work best for your loved one's happiness and well-being.