Probably the easiest way to think of it is, the sicker they are, the more you'll hear from them. By and large, the initial contact is up to you, though.
People in AL aren't getting much attention overall because they aren't too bad off. They'll get help with their meds and with the other services that particular place offers, but that's it. Skilled nursing is more hands-on care, so they'll have more interaction with a loved one. Same with memory care.
My mother's on hospice in her memory care, and now they call me almost daily with updates. That's the first time the calls have been initiated by the other end, but of course, I also call if I have any questions about her condition.
The only time I get contacted by my dad's assisted living is if there is a medical problem they want to tell me about or, back when residents could come and go as they pleased, if he forgot to sign out when he left and then they couldn't find him when it was time to give him his meds. If I want info I need to call them but I've rarely found the need. I talk to my dad every couple of days and in pre-covid times stopped by a couple of times a week so I know everything that is going on.
Assisted Living will not communicate with you unless a new problem has occurred. If you are asking if they make reports to family? No they don't. If you have a concern or are in need of contact with them you should discuss this with them.
I don't think AL will be calling you much unless there is an issue. Make sure you know who to call for what issue: I have phone numbers for the floor medical team and emails for the resident liaison and admissions/admin/bookkeeping, etc.
If you have questions just shoot a very short and concise (and emotionally neutral) email to someone and ask it be forwarded to the right person if the recipient wasn't that person. It helps to go there and introduce yourself to the staff and see who they are. Show appreciation to the staff -- it goes a really long way and most deserve it.
I can't remember if had quarterly care conferences in AL or not, but we do in LTC. If so, they will contact you to set up an appointment. Try to go in person or Zoom call if at all possible.
The ALF would be the one to ask, not us. They don't generally initiate any communication other than COVID updates via email, so if you'd like to hear from them, ask for updates. You can also call your mother directly, I assume, if she has her own phone in her apartment? Whenever I need to ask a question or get info, I just call the nurse or one of the caregivers to chat.
It may be up to you to initiate any contact. I don't see the nurse calling every resident's family member to tell them how their parent is doing daily. Nurses don't have that kind of time. Being an Assisted living the residents are pretty much on their own. I was lucky, Moms AL was 5 min up the road so I checked on her everyday even if for only 15 min. Mom did need help with all her ADLs because of advanced Dementia. It was a 39 room facility. So I got to know the aides and the Nurse.
You will be called concerning anything that happens. A fall, an injury. Especially if they feel a hospital visit is required. Anything out of the ordinary, like a UTI. Just remember better to make the staff friends instead of enemies. My daughter is an RN and I would ask her what should I complain about. Some things you have to let go.
You also should have a meeting with the Nurse every few months.
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People in AL aren't getting much attention overall because they aren't too bad off. They'll get help with their meds and with the other services that particular place offers, but that's it. Skilled nursing is more hands-on care, so they'll have more interaction with a loved one. Same with memory care.
My mother's on hospice in her memory care, and now they call me almost daily with updates. That's the first time the calls have been initiated by the other end, but of course, I also call if I have any questions about her condition.
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If you have questions just shoot a very short and concise (and emotionally neutral) email to someone and ask it be forwarded to the right person if the recipient wasn't that person. It helps to go there and introduce yourself to the staff and see who they are. Show appreciation to the staff -- it goes a really long way and most deserve it.
I can't remember if had quarterly care conferences in AL or not, but we do in LTC. If so, they will contact you to set up an appointment. Try to go in person or Zoom call if at all possible.
Good luck!
You will be called concerning anything that happens. A fall, an injury. Especially if they feel a hospital visit is required. Anything out of the ordinary, like a UTI. Just remember better to make the staff friends instead of enemies. My daughter is an RN and I would ask her what should I complain about. Some things you have to let go.
You also should have a meeting with the Nurse every few months.