Posted on Mar 28, 2022
With an increasingly wide and diverse array of assisted living options, figuring out how to find the best assisted living facility for your loved one can take some time. When evaluating your choices, compare factors like staff friendliness, amenities, and overall culture. Be prepared with cost, care plan, and general lifestyle questions to ask assisted living tour guides and staff to help facilitate the process.
Follow these simple steps and use our checklist of questions for assisted living to help make finding a community that fits your senior loved one’s specific needs easier.
1. Pay attention to cleanliness, curb appeal, and design details
The assisted living facility you choose will be your senior loved one’s new home. Details reveal how this home will be maintained, as well as how it may enrich your parent’s physical and mental well-being.
Note your first impression as you observe the community’s outdoor areas and entryways, says Louis Kievit, vice president of customer experience at Enlivant, a senior living provider with communities in 26 states. Porch seating and a garden or courtyard signal a welcoming, social tone, for example.
In addition, when choosing an assisted living facility, pay attention to the following details:
2. Get to know caregivers and staff who provide daily support
“At the end of the day, your decision is going to be driven by, ‘Will this team have my parent’s best interest at heart?’” says Kievit. “Will they take care for them and make them feel special? People are the most vital asset.”
If possible, observe one-on-one interactions between staff and residents to assess staff compassion, friendliness, and patience. Be sure to also ask about staff accreditation, background, and training.
3. Get a feel for the community’s culture, programming, and amenities
Though many families looking for senior care wonder how to find the best assisted living facility, the ideal fit is different for everyone. Choosing the right assisted living facility depends on your senior loved one’s hobbies and personality, as well as how the community can support and engage them. Seniors who are intellectually engaged generally feel happier and experience lower rates of stress and cognitive decline, according to the National Institute on Aging.
“If Mom loves gardening, I would ask to see the courtyard and meet the gardening club. If it’s reading, I would ask to see the library, where she can curl up on a comfy couch and enjoy a good book,” Kievit says. “If she’s very active, ask to see a copy of the activity calendar. The apartment is mainly for sleeping and bathing. The rest of the community is home.”
Another valuable element of the community’s culture is the people. The other community residents will become your loved one’s friends and daily companions. The best assisted living facilities promote quality of life, resulting in residents who seem engaged, social, and happy. Try to tour during a group activity of interest to your parent to observe interactions among residents.
When searching for your loved one’s new home, evaluate the assisted living services and amenities your family member would enjoy, such as the chapel, fitness center, game room, or bar.
4. Grab a bite to eat
Incorporating a meal into your tour can provide an opportunity to see available cafeteria options, in addition to the communal benefit. During conversations with other residents, ask questions about their daily routines and honest opinions on the community. In some communities, a volunteer resident ambassador may accompany staff on tours.
5. Consider accommodations and comfort
Is your aging loved one a social butterfly who would enjoy the company of a roommate or someone who prefers the privacy of their own space? Do they have a four-legged companion they’d like to bring along? There are plenty of pet-friendly assisted living communities to choose from, and it’s common for communities to offer a variety of room sizes and floor plans. You’ll want to take some time asking questions that give you an idea of what accommodations are available to choose the community that best fits their needs.
6. Come prepared with key cost questions
For some families, the cost of assisted living becomes a major factor in the decision-making process. Determine whether the community you’re touring uses all-inclusive pricing, tiered pricing based on levels of care, a la carte pricing, or another model. Additionally, avoid sticker shock by asking about move-in fees and contract terms. Generally, a business office manager can answer these questions and address related concerns.
7. Ensure the community will meet both short-term and long-term care needs
Choosing the right assisted living facility means selecting a community that can meet your senior loved one’s needs as they evolve. First, verify the staff has experience managing any health condition your senior loved one may have. Then, look toward the future: Can the community adapt if your loved one’s needs change? Reach an understanding of how often staff members reevaluate care plans.
Lastly, consider what will happen if your senior loved one eventually requires more care than they do now. Ask about the facility’s licensure, as well as the move-out process and any associated fees.
Keep your checklist of questions for assisted living on hand
Finding the right community can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Download our assisted living comparison checklist to help guide you during visits. Our detailed questions can keep you prepared and organized when it’s time to choose an assisted living facility for your loved one.
Original post: https://www.aplaceformom.com/caregiver-resources/articles/choosing-the-right-assisted-living-facility
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