If you, a parent or elderly loved one is at the stage of life where some help with everyday tasks would be nice, you may want to consider looking into an assisted living home. Assisted living usually refers to communities such as senior housing complexes or nursing centers where residents, typically senior citizens, can get help throughout the day with tasks such as taking medications or cooking meals. This arrangement can have numerous benefits, from creating social circles with other residents to enjoying a great degree of independence while having a safety net. These days, senior care centers offer a great quality of life and range of services for residents. Vista Living Senior Care, for instance, could provide your loved one with the personalized care they need. To learn more about the top four things you should look for in an assisted living home, read on.
1. Choose a Convenient Location
If you’re searching for a home for an elderly parent, for instance, you’ll want to keep location in mind. To make visits easier and be able to reach them in times of need, it’s a good idea to choose a location that’s nearby and accessible to you. This way, your loved one can enjoy independence while still being within driving distance for regular visits – no more settling for weekly phone calls! And, if there isn’t a location near you yet, do not worry. These residences are being built all the time, and there may be someone who is right now working with a senior living consultant to help them plan and realize a new home that will be in the perfect location for you and your family.
2. Check Services Offered
It’s a good idea to keep a running list of the services you or your family member will be needing regularly and keep the list in mind when touring possible facilities. Don’t be shy about asking whether certain services are offered and whether there are extra costs or fees associated with services. Many care providers list their services on their website, so simply head to a site like https://www.chelseaseniorliving.com/living-options/assisted-living/ to see what they offer. After all, if the goal of the move is to make living easier, you’ll want to have access to all the necessities! So when you are trying to choose a facility for your loved one, be sure to put together some questions to ask assisted living homes to help put your mind at ease. Things such as:
- Can you provide additional services if my loved one needs changes?
- How many meals do you provide each day?
- What’s your medication management policy?
- Do you transport residents to medical appointments? Is the transportation wheelchair/disabled-friendly?
- Are there hospice and physical therapy services available?
- Is there 24-hour assistance provided by staff to help with personal care such as dressing and bathing?
- Are housekeeping and laundry services provided?
- Are religious services available on-site or nearby?
- Does the community have any special features such as a beauty parlor or therapy pool?
- What are the additional costs for the different levels of services?
Finding a suitable assisted living home can be an overwhelming process, which is why you should have some questions prepared in advance. It will help if you take notes of each home you visit to ensure you get all the information you and your loved one need to make the right choice.
3. Look for Community Spirit
Especially if you or your loved one are social butterflies, you’ll want to pick a senior care facility that has a strong sense of community spirit. You may want to hire a consultant to help you and your loved one through the process of touring and selecting the right home. When touring places, pay attention to how the residents interact with each other and the culture of the community. After all, if it’s going to be your new home, why not choose a friendly, caring place?
4. Consider Their Size
This factor depends on your or your loved one’s personal preferences, but it can make a big difference in everyday experience. If you’re looking for a home for a more introverted person, for instance, a smaller community could be a good fit. On the flip side, an extrovert might love living in a large facility with lots of new people to meet. Another factor to consider is the staff-to-resident ratio – if you choose a large facility with fewer staff members, for instance, services may be offered less frequently or for shorter periods of time. It all depends on preferences and individual needs!
Whether you’re looking for a new home for yourself or a loved one, choosing the right assisted living facility can make all the difference in the quality of life. Fortunately, picking a great place doesn’t have to be complicated! Keep these four factors in mind when you’re searching for senior care, and you’re sure to find the perfect home.
My mom and her sister want to have my grandma move into an assisted living facility this year. I appreciate how you said that it is important to take into consideration if your loved one is introverted or extraverted when choosing the right size of the facility. I will be sure to pass all of your tips along to my mom and aunt so that they can make the best decision for my grandma.