Sooner or later, most of us are going to have to consider assisted living facilities. For some people, they dread the concept, seeing it as the loss of independence. Others see them as a way to enjoy their well-earned retirement, allowing them to live their lives with the support they need without having to worry. Often, people’s opinions of these facilities couldn’t be further from the truth, with many of them having pools, gyms, movie theaters and cafes on site. With so many facilities to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. If you have a parent of another relative who is considering moving to an assisted living facility, then here are some tips on choosing the right one for them and their particular needs.
Assess their needs
Everyone has their own particular needs when it comes to their care. Some people may have pre-existing medical conditions that need regular medical care, others may just be experiencing the reduced mobility of age and need a safe environment designed to accommodate their physical needs. Each assisted living facility will have its own particular specialisms so it’s important you find the one that can best look after you now and in the future.
Decide on a location
You may want to find somewhere close to family and friends so that face-to-face visits can still happen frequently and your relative won’t feel like they have been isolated. Consider as well what facilities are in the area surrounding the facility, especially in terms of doctors, hospitals, entertainment, and retail.
Set a budget
Once you know what area you want and the level of care, you need to know what they can afford so you can begin to narrow down the choices. Take a tour There’s no better way to chose than seeing the place. Go with them to have a look around, you should be able to talk to the residents, not just the staff, to get a truthful idea of what the place is like. While you are there, look out for the following:
- The facilities are in good repair, free of damage, dirt, and stains.
- Are safety features installed such as alarms, emergency exits, and handrails?
- Do the other residents look well cared for and happy? Are they participating in activities?
- Does the food look and taste good? Try it while you’re there.
- Is there a good ratio of staff to residents?
Do your homework
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, do some due diligence of your own and seek out independent reviews, check that the staff is all qualified and that there has not been any bad publicity surrounding it.
Stay the night
Most facilities will let people stay for a day and night, or sometimes the weekend so that they can experience all of the activities and facilities it has to offer. This is a great way to really assess the place and find out if what they say in the brochure is a true reflection.
