Tips for Choosing The Best Assisted Living Facility

Assisted living is a living solution for seniors who can’t live on their own. It's really built on this idea of maximizing independence, offering socialization, and focusing on well-being - while still offering a home-like environment. Such centers offer an intimidating and overwhelming experience to elders. With utmost love and detailed attention, they let seniors stay in a community with harmony and peace.

Deciding to make the transition is tough, but once that’s resolved, the next question is how to find an assisted living community that’s right for you. This can be nerve-racking and a stressful job. Hence, to make things easier, we have listed down some tips that you can follow:

• Do Some Research

The first very important thing to do is research. It’s a mistake to arrive at a center without researching about the place you would want to stay.

Flip through some magazines and look for some information online. Ask friends and family members who have already been there before - check what was their experience. Proper research will help you narrow down the best assisted living facilities in your area.

• Make a Plan to Visit Your Top Choices

Once you have a solid list of facilities, make a plan to visit your top choices. Schedule a time to tour the facilities you like best. While visiting, talk to the staff and residents. Bring someone with you to help keep track of the details.

If possible, make a second visit, without calling ahead. This allows you to sense the environment beyond the standard touring hours. It will help you understand if the environment is right – the way it is being broadcasted.

• Talk to the Staff

When you visit, assess the mood of the facility. You want a place where the staff is generally cheerful and helpful. While this could be difficult to guess at the first meeting, you will be able to gauge the behavior of the management to some extent.

You can also ask the following questions, to gain better clarity:

• What kind of experience and training does the staff have?
• What is the staff-to-resident ratio?
• How many staff members are on duty during the daytime and nighttime?
• Can the staff provide 24-hour assistance with day-to-day activities? For example, dressing, eating, mobility, hygiene/grooming, bathing, toileting, using the telephone, shopping, laundry, etc

• Ask About Health Care

Ask about healthcare assistance. Even though you might not need full-time nursing or medical care, it’s better to be aware of the services provided. Discuss these questions so that you know you will be staying in a safe, well-organized place.

• Does the facility have registered, licensed vocational nurses or doctors on board 24/7?
• Can staff members administer medications?
• Can the staff meet the residents’ scheduled and unscheduled medical needs? If not, can the resident contact a nearby doctor, nurse, or any other licensed healthcare professional in the event of an emergency?
• Is transportation offered to residents for doctor’s appointments? If so, is the transportation/wheelchair disabled-friendly? Is there a fee?
• Are services such as physiotherapy available within the facility? If so, is there any additional charge?

• Survey the Rooms

Check if the rooms are comfortable, safe, and secure.  While there may be different options available depending on the budget, a residential unit should be appealing, spacious, with adequate lighting and ventilation.

Check what kind of furnishings and decorations can you bring along, if at all you decide to stay. Check for any safety hazards like gaps in the flooring or uneven carpeting. Find out if emergency call buttons and fire sprinklers are strategically placed in the living room, bathroom, etc.

• Check Out the Activities

Be sure to take a look at the activity calendar. Check what types of activities are available to residents and how often do they occur.  Do they provide any live entertainment? If so, what kind, and how often do they organize? Are residents actively encouraged to participate in activities and events? etc

Activities are important. It will help you stay happy and cheerful throughout the day. Moreover, it will help you engage with people in a similar age range and mobility level.

• Check Out the Food

During the visit, see if you can find a time to have lunch or dinner, or a snack, at the available eating locations in the facility. Ask the following questions, so that you get a better idea.

• Is the food prepared daily? How many meals are provided per day? Are there set times for meals?
• Does the menu change daily?
• Can meals be tailored to a resident’s specific diet and health needs?
• Can you place a special request on specific holidays, birthdays, or other special occasions?
• Are residents permitted to store food in their apartments? Etc.

• Miscellaneous Services

There are a number of other services you can look for, such as beauty salon or barber, faith services, café, banking, etc. While some services might be permanent on-site offerings – some might pay professional visits depending on the requirement. Check everything, that comes to your mind, so that you are assured you are getting the best.

Whatever are your circumstances, deciding to leave your home can be difficult. However, by taking time to explore your options and by being honest about your needs and concerns, you will be able to find the best-assisted living facility for yourself.

In a quality assisted living facility, you can thrive and continue to act independently but in the wrong one, your overall health and wellbeing may get compromised. Hence make sure you choose the best before you make the final move!