Choosing to place your aging loved one in the care of someone other than yourself or another family member is a difficult decision. But, the bills are piling up; you have a busy job, and barely enough time to spend with friends and family. This is the realization that you can no longer care for your aging parent(s) or relative without risking their safety and your family’s financial and emotional well-being. You need help! But how do you choose the right assisted living facility?
Far too often have we heard and seen abuse and neglect at assisted living/nursing facilities. Here are some helpful tips and things to look for that will put your mind at rest and guarantee the happiness and safety of your parent or relative.
The Facility
The quality of the facility itself is very important. This is where your loved one will live, eat, and sleep. Naturally, you want it to be a pleasant place that only encourages the comfort and happiness of your parent or relative. As a general rule, you should always look for reviews and inspection reports concerning the specific assisted living facility you are interested in. Here are three important factors that indicate a good facility:
1. Cleanliness – The facility should feel fresh and clean. Check furniture, corners, windows, etc. to determine how thorough cleaning personnel are. Use your nose. Believe it or not you can generally get a feel for the cleanliness of a facility based on how it smells.
2. Outdoor Areas – Investigate the upkeep and use of the available outdoor areas around the facility. Make sure they are safe, spacious, and enjoyable.
3. Living Quarters – Check the living quarters. Question cleaning maintenance and the size of the room to ensure easy use, comfort, and safety.
The People
Pay close attention to the staff. These are the people that will be caring for your aging loved ones every day. Are they friendly? Do they listen? Are they caring and kind? Be sure to meet with and talk to some of the staff and observe their interactions with residents. Observe and/or ask your tour guide what staff-to-patient ratio you should expect to ensure your loved ones maximum care and comfort.
The Care
To ensure your parent or relative is being properly cared for, consider the following aspects when visiting. At the end of this article you will find a list of questions to bring with you.
The Cost of the Services
When looking for facilities that offer services for assisted living for the elderly, you need to consider the cost. Most facilities require that you pay through personal finances, which can be quite costly in the long run. According to the representative of the National Center for Assisted Living, Reeves, this can deplete savings.
You may also choose to pay through home equity life insurance, long-term care insurance, or a combination of resources. Elderly persons who qualify for Medicaid have smaller options as they don’t consider Medicaid a necessity.
Some facilities admit residents with this payment option, while others don’t. Some are based on upfront costs, and others offer a la carte service, a tiered service, or a monthly charge.
It’s, therefore, crucial to narrow your choices for your loved one to the facilities you can afford. Once you pick out a few, evaluate them based on the other factors without considering the cost.
Culture
Your loved one is going to live in the assisted-living facility for the foreseeable future. It would hence be in their best interest to get a taste of the culture before signing them up. Consider visiting the facility beforehand and get a sense of the environment.
Attend a meal session if possible. Observe how things are done around there to make sure it’s the right environment. A positive culture will have significant health benefits on your loved one.
- Questions You Should Ask Yourself
Do you imagine you or your loved one being comfortable?
Are the staff and residents friendly, open, and inviting?
Are the current residents properly dressed and well-groomed?
Does the community feel fresh and clean?
Do the staff smile and treat residents with respect?
Does the area feel safe and secure?
- Things You Can Do
Visit often and sometimes without warning
Be involved in care, medication, daily activities, etc.
Get to know the staff
Have other family members and friends stop by and visit
These tips can help you determine whether or not the facility you are considering is one in which your parent(s) or relative would be happy to live. Use your knowledge, trust your instincts, and guarantee your aging loved one’s comfort and safety by selecting the right assisted living facility.
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This article was brought to you by Country Club Retirement Campus. They provide independent and assisted living apartments, rehabilitation services, and long-term and short-term healthcare services at four locations in the Ohio area. You might enjoy taking a moment to visit their website.
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This is an excellent and thorough article. I would add only one thing. When we were looking at facilities we were shown the recreation and dining areas, all of which were lovely. However, you need to go to see them when activities are happening. I went to a couple during a meal. The food looked very good, but in both of them, no one was talking. People sat at tables with their faces aimed at their plates. There was no discussion about the weather or much else. You could have heard a pin drop; you certainly could hear forks scraping on plates.
The social events are important, that is one of the reasons for going to Assisted Living. But just make sure that they are real.
Thanks for your input, Margo. There are many things to assess and most of them can be done by using your senses and trusting your instincts!