If your loved one is still independent and doesn’t require round-the-clock assistance, an assisted living facility may be better than a nursing home. Once you’ve decided to place them in an assisted facility, the next step is identifying a suitable facility.
Finding the right assisted living facility can seem challenging since there are thousands of assisted living homes everywhere. This article helps you choose the best assisted living community to place your loved one in.
Location Of The Facility
The location you settle for depends on your loved one’s personal preference. Would you rather stay in the suburbs or are you comfortable living in the city? Some people prefer staying in a facility close to where they lived before. Living close to your home ensures you keep in touch with your close friends and family, and you can continue engaging in some activities you used to join in your neighborhood.
If you plan to visit once in a while, the assisted living facility mustn’t be too far. Farther means longer drives and limits the number of times you can visit due to the distance. If your loved one has an ongoing routine check-up with their doctors, let them stay close to their home so you don’t have to change their doctors or miss any medical appointments.
Amenities And Services Offered
A typical assisted living facility offers essential services like housekeeping, dining, and wellness programs. However, once you’ve settled on a particular facility, pop over and find out what other services they offer.
Some offer tailored services to cater to patients with Alzheimer’s or any other condition caused by dementia. If your loved one requires specialized care, find out what offers they have and the cost.
Apart from their healthcare, an assisted living community should have activities that residents can join to improve their social skills and keep them active. Residents’ physical and mental wellness should be a priority. Yoga, hiking, gardening, or even parties are excellent ways to keep their physical and mental faculties sharp and should be a part of their routine to avoid boredom.
Staff Qualification And Engagement
Most assisted living homes train and get licenses for their staff to handle the elderly. But double-checking and engaging with them is critical to know how they’re actually doing. For one, you can notice how passionate they are about taking care of their residents by talking to them.
Most people overlook this, but ensure the facility you chose has enough personnel. Enough people ensure they’re not overwhelmed with work. An overwhelmed staff is a disgruntled staff. In most cases, your loved one won’t receive personalized care from overwhelmed personnel. Therefore, the staff-to-resident ratio should be reasonable. According to some experts, around six to eight residents per one staff member is ideal.
Cost
While Medicaid and Medicare cover some long-term care services, you have to cover most of the expenses out of pocket. And the fact that your loved one might be in the facility for a long time means you should consider your budget and the overall cost. How much you can spend will determine the space that your loved one gets. If finances do not allow your loved one to have a room, consider a shared room to cut costs.
Security
As people age, the chances of injury also increase. The facility should have adequate measures that assist your loved one’s movement and prevent them from injuries and falls. The floors should be non-slip, and the facility should have handrails that aid in movement.
In addition to movement, there should be enough security to keep your elder loved one safe from intruders and unauthorized access. Since the facility might also have residents with dementia, the security measures should also be able to monitor them so they don’t leave the residence unnoticed.
Hygiene and Infection Control Measures
As your loved one grows older, certain illnesses and their old age compromise their immunity. Assisted living homes should have solid measures to control any infection in case of an outbreak. Even though there are vaccines available, other viruses pose a threat to assisted living facilities. Flu is also another challenge for residential living because of the shared amenities.
As you tour the facility before you move with your loved one, take note of the level of cleanliness and hygiene. Issues like dust in visible areas and bad smells should concern you since it hints at what might be happening behind the scenes.
Takeaway
There are many assisted living communities, but you must research well before choosing a facility for your loved one. You can also search online for reviews about them and the most recommended living facilities. Sometimes, it helps to get recommendations from friends and family who has previous experience choosing assisted living facilities.
Your choice should match your preference and budget since most facilities are costly. With the pointers above, you should find the perfect assisted living home for your older loved one.
