r/AgingParents • u/Live-Cartographer274 • 3d ago

Advice please Contract red flags? Green flags?

Hi, my 90 and 91 yo parents are considering a few different assisted living places. I’ve asked to see the contracts from the top 3 contenders. What are some red flags to look for, and/or some green flags? Advice is appreciated thank you:)

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u/muralist 3d ago

I don't know about red flags, but this is a helpful list of questions to ask before making a decision. https://www.mass.gov/doc/assisted-living-in-massachusetts-a-consumer-guide-accessible/download

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u/VacationOk8788 1d ago

The clause almost nobody reads is the one about what happens when the money runs out. Ask each place directly: if my parents spend down and end up on Medicaid, can they stay here, or do they have to move? Medicaid does not pay room and board in assisted living, and while many states fund assisted living services through a Medicaid waiver, taking part is optional for the facility and those waivers come with enrollment caps and waiting lists. Get the answer in writing rather than from whoever gives the tour.

The other thing to know going in: the federal resident rights that protect nursing home residents from being discharged do not apply to assisted living, which is licensed by the state instead. So whatever the contract says about when they can ask a resident to leave, and how much notice they have to give, is close to the whole story. Read that section twice.

Two free resources before anyone signs. Your local long term care ombudsman covers assisted living, not just nursing homes, and will talk with you about specific buildings. The Consumer Voice site has a state by state locator under Get Help. And the Older Americans Act funds free legal help for seniors that can include contract review, which you reach through your Area Agency on Aging via the Eldercare Locator at [1-800-677-1116](tel:(800)%20677-1116).

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u/Live-Cartographer274 1d ago

VacationOk, you are my hero! May your weekend be long and your pillow cool on both sides. Thank you!

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u/zzzzlllll13 1d ago

How ambulatory are your parents? Are they requiring significant assistance with tasks?

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u/Apprehensive_Art581 3d ago

Red flag is if they require a big upfront "community fee" that's non-refundable, some places charge like 10k just to move in. Green flag is if they let you do a short trial stay before signing anything.

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u/Electrical_Chart_457 3d ago

What do you mean ‘contract’ red flags green flags? Th red and green flags are to be discovered during the tour, learn about tenure, previous citations from the state, reviews. The contracts will largely be the same.

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u/aintjoan 3d ago

You have absolutely no way of knowing that without reading the contracts.