Posted on Jan 4, 2021 in Senior Living Community
With advancing age, it may be necessary for you to help your loved ones transition into a senior living community. However, the problem often is the sheer number of options available. So many options can make it tough to pick the right community.
Here are a couple of things you can look into during your search to help you with the decision-making process.
Living culture is not exactly a feature. Therefore, it can be a little difficult to measure/describe. It’s similar to the gut feeling or the ‘it’ factor that you feel when shopping for something and you just know that this is the right match for you. To see if a community culture is right for you, go with your gut feeling. There are some concrete ways as well to ascertain it.
We recommend visiting several communities multiple times during different times of the day. Pay close attention to the staff and the residents. Was the staff warm in responding to your queries? Do the residents seem happy and cheerful? Take note of how each community made you feel and whether or not you liked that feeling.
What sort of wellness program does the place offer? Look into social activities and health/exercise programs. Ask about how often the residents go out for fun activities. Look into the laundry and housekeeping services. Does the facility allow family and friends to visit often? Do they have a common area or a private space for get-togethers? Is it a pet-friendly community?
What’s the staff-to-resident ratio? Do staff members interact nicely with the residents? Look into the level of assistance you can expect from the staff. What kind of things do they offer help with? Are the staff members made to go through regular/additional training opportunities?
Look into how friends and family members can expect to receive health updates about their loved ones. What’s the turnaround time for queries to be answered? Does the facility offer care for the elderly with special needs such as those with mobility issues or Diabetes?
It’s important to look into the credentials of the community because, in the event of bankruptcy or sale, the terms of agreements and prepayment can change. You can either do a quick Google search or you can consult with AAA. Online guides are often helpful in checking the credentials.
You can also ask if there’s a pending change of facility ownership in the next year or so. Look into state license(s). Different levels of licensing dictate different levels and types of care covered.
Does the facility have dedicated wait staff and chefs? What about the dining hours? Do they allow food sampling? Does the menu look interesting? Do they accommodate special dietary requests and restrictions such as offering vegan and gluten-free foods?
How are meals prepared/planned? It’s good to arrange for a tour during dinner or lunch hours. Is the dining area designed to encourage socialization?
Does the community regularly organize fun activities based on the fitness levels and interests of the residents? Does a typical day look fun? Retired life can be good and relaxing but without fun activities to keep you engaged and sharp, things can start to look dull quickly.
The mark of a good senior care facility is that it will regularly hold fun activities for the residents to keep them happy and excited about life. Make sure that there’s a good mix of social, physical, and spiritual activities as they take care of the mind, body, and soul. Hiking, yoga, gardening, games, parties, and church activities are popular choices. Look for a community that accommodates your loved one’s favorite activities.
Other than basic stuff, check out what all additional amenities the place offers. Sometimes two communities can look similar. It’s the extras that make them stand apart. See if the place handles housekeeping and laundry services. Also, look into the level of extra care and amenities offered. See if there are transportation services and regular community events.
Side Note: Sometimes extra amenities come at an added cost. At times, a few communities can have it covered as part of the monthly cost also.
Elderly and seniors are at an added risk of injuries and falls. Some communities are particular about this thing and will therefore have proper measures in place to ensure resident safety.
This can include having slip-resistant floors, room for wheelchair movement, accessible handrails, etc. See if the facility is properly secured from the outside world. This can be particularly life-saving in case your loved one suffers from dementia.
Before you begin your search, you must ascertain the kind of care and service your elderly would need once he/she has moved into the facility.
Remember that with advancing age, the level of necessary care also keeps changing. Therefore, you should seek a community that can accommodate your loved one’s both current and future care needs.
Here’s a quick breakdown to help you negative different care options:
Picking the right senior care facility is one of the most important decisions you will have to make in your lifetime. make sure you put the right care and attention into it.
