A Guide to Navigating Senior Living and Long-Term Care Decisions
- 7 hours ago
- 5 min read
By Nancy Haugen, RN, MS, PHN
SENIOR LIVING GUIDE 2026
Making decisions about senior living and long-term care—whether for yourself or someone you care for—can feel overwhelming. These choices often require balancing independence, safety, personal values, relationships, and quality of life within a complex systems of care.
This guide is designed to support informed, confident decision-making at every stage—whether you are planning ahead, actively exploring options, or advocating after a move. Use it to clarify priorities, prepare for meaningful conversations, evaluate providers thoroughly, and remain engaged in ongoing care.
What Matters Most While Living Independently
Before exploring care options, take time to reflect on what is most important in daily life. Clear priorities create a foundation for better decisions later.
Consider Your Personal Priorities:
Living in your own home or moving to an independent senior community
Participating in activities that provide purpose and enjoyment
Maintaining social connections with family and friends
Continuing relationships with current health care providers
Participating in your preferred faith community or worship activities
Preserving personal preferences (food, daily routine, lifestyle choices)
Expecting a safe, clean, and well-maintained environment
Remaining personally involved in decision-making
Ensuring Family and Resident Councils are active and self-managed
Identifying any additional priorities that matter to you
Defining these priorities early helps guide future decisions if care needs increase.
Considering Long-Term Care Communities
When choosing a long-term care provider, begin with the individual’s unique needs, preferences, and daily routines.
Be honest about:
The level of care needed now
How those needs may change over time
Whether the provider can offer safe, consistent, and high-quality care
While moving into a care community may reduce the burden of daily caregiving, families must still remain vigilant about the quality of care being delivered.
Preparing to Evaluate Options
Planning ahead helps prevent rushed decisions during a health crisis.
Explore All Care Options
Home care
Assisted living
Enhanced or specialized care
Memory or dementia care
Nursing home care
Each setting provides different levels of support and oversight.
Start Family Conversations Early
Discuss preferences before services are urgently needed
Encourage open dialogue about expectations and concerns
Early conversations allow the individual’s voice to remain central in decision-making.
Screen Providers Carefully
Review government inspection reports
Check safety records using independent tools such as ElderCareIQ.org
Confirm whether Elderly Waiver or long-term care insurance is accepted
Interpret provider testimonials on social media cautiously
Understand that providers often pay to be listed with commercial placement advisors
Consider recording provider meetings (if appropriate and permitted)
Careful screening helps separate marketing claims from measurable quality indicators.
Care Setting Considerations
Home Care
Home care may allow individuals to remain in familiar surroundings while receiving needed support.
Ask:
Can necessary services be safely delivered at home?
What level of support is required to maintain both independence and quality of life?
Assisted Living and Dementia Care Communities
When exploring assisted living or memory care:
Evaluate the quality of nursing and personal care
Confirm how personal preferences (food, routines, lifestyle) are honored
Recognize that family involvement and vigilance remain important
Touring & Observing Communities
A tour provides valuable insight beyond brochures and websites.
When Visiting:
Bring a trusted family member or friend
Tour specialty/enhanced and memory care areas
Visit multiple times—during evenings, weekends, and holidays
Observe cleanliness, odors, and safety hazards
Speak with residents, families, and staff about their experiences
Watch how staff interact with residents and families
Check required postings: Client Rights, Service Disclosures, complaint procedures, Ombudsman and Maltreatment Reporting information
Request written policies rather than relying solely on verbal assurances
Key Questions to Ask Providers
Staffing
What is the background and experience of the RN Clinical Nurse Supervisor?
How many hours per day are RNs or LPNs on site, including evenings, nights, and weekends?
How long has the nursing team worked together?
How is on-call nursing handled when an RN or LPN is not on site?
How many direct caregivers are working today? How do shifts vary on weekends?
How much instruction for unlicensed caregivers is digital versus in-person by an RN or LPN?
How often do temporary agency staff provide direct care?
Does the community employ a licensed social worker?
Care Planning & Communication
How are initial and ongoing health assessments conducted—and by whom?
How are families involved in care planning?
How are medical provider and therapy recommendations incorporated into care plans?
When are care conferences held, and who participates?
How are care plan changes initiated?
Health & Personal Care
How are person-centered approaches implemented daily?
Can residents keep their primary health care providers?
How are POLST (Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment) agreements honored and readily available?
Daily Life & Preferences
How are new residents introduced to the community?
How are individuals in secure dementia or enhanced care included in broader community activities?
How are caregivers—including temporary staff—trained in person-centered care?
How are dietary needs and personal food preferences accommodated?
What is the expected response time to a pendant call for assistance?
Safety & Compliance
How are infectious disease outbreaks prevented and managed?
Are background checks current for all staff?
What is the resident safety check policy?
How quickly does leadership respond to concerns?
Under what circumstances is additional private-pay care required?
Have there been findings of abuse, neglect, or exploitation? How were they addressed?
Review Key Required Documents & Disclosures
Request and review the following:
Universal Disclosure of Assisted Living Services and Amenities (UDALSA)
Client Bill of Rights
Information about Resident and Family Councils
Activity schedules (weekday and weekend)
Monthly menus and dietary accommodations
Sample individual abuse prevention plans
Sample medication management plans
Sample activity plans for individuals with dementia
These documents provide transparency and insight into daily operations and resident protections.
The Importance of Staying Involved: Preventing & Addressing Concerns
Even after a move, ongoing involvement is essential to maintaining quality care.
Remain Actively Engaged:
Vary visiting times (evenings, weekends, holidays)
Participate in Family or Resident Councils
Consider electronic monitoring in accordance with Minnesota law
Request and review care plans, nursing assessments, and medication administration records
Document concerns in writing and request written responses
Request a care conference when needed
File a grievance if care does not match the care plan
When to Seek Additional Help
If concerns persist:
Contact the Office of the Ombudsman for Long-Term Care: 800-657-3591
Contact the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) if abuse, neglect, or maltreatment is suspected: 844-880-1574
Seeking assistance is not adversarial—it is an important step in protecting safety, dignity, and rights.
Final Thoughts
Senior living and long-term care decisions are deeply personal and often complex. Thoughtful preparation, careful evaluation, and ongoing advocacy can make the difference between simply finding a placement—and securing a setting that truly supports dignity, safety, and quality of life.
Planning ahead empowers individuals and families to move forward with clarity and confidence.
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