Assisted Living Articles » Considering your options
Which Assisted Living Community is the best match for your family?
When searching for assisted living we usually have a select group of criteria in mind. We will also find that some of those criteria will change as we shop. As we search we may find there are many features and benefits to a community that we had not imagined. The right match is so important to the long term satisfaction of the resident and his or her family advocates. Here are some tips on how to assure that a community you choose will be the right one for you and your family.
Involve the potential resident in the search.
If your parent or spouse is frail and cannot tour communities with you, accurate feedback to them will be important. After a preliminary search, plan to visit the communities you like the best, with the future resident. Keeping the choice down to two or three options is critical to this process. Showing an older adult more than three options will confuse them; and showing them only one option may cause them to feel uninvolved in this process.
Make a list of features that are important to everyone involved
Not only physical ones like an outdoor place to walk or near my doctor but consider social, financial and medical ones as well. List apartment size, the setting, the location, the availability of a nurse, the cost, and anything else that you think is important right now. Then list what you think might be important in the future as your family member ages, for example memory care or medication services.
Do some real soul searching.
You may find out that close to shopping may have been important at one time but now mom is not able to walk and will not be shopping on her own. Maybe it’s important to be near the adult children, but staying in a familiar neighborhood will make for an easier transition. Try and discuss what makes your loved one really content. A view of the water may matter way more to you than to your mother.
Go and see
Visit a variety of places. Visit during the day and witness the dining services and the social activity. Often it is a feeling that makes us choose the right place. We can feel certain chemistry in a community. We somehow will know that this is a place where my mom will be comfortable. Observe the residents. Are they like him or her? Is this a place where you and your family will be comfortable when visiting? And consider visiting in the evening or on the weekend to experience the feel of the community when things aren’t as busy as they are during the day time.
What about the physical space?
How big is the community? How is it decorated? If your loved one has lived in a large modern home, a small quaint Victorian inn may not be a good fit. If she’s a city dweller, the beautiful building out in the country may not be comfortable, no matter how nice the apartment. How long are the hallways? How far is the dining room from her apartment? Is there more than one elevator? What is the lighting like? Do the residents have easy access to the outdoors? Bring along your camera and take pictures to share with family.
What is the staff like?
We assume they are capable, but are they fun and interesting? Ask about their hobbies and interests to see if they are in tune with yours. Try and find executive and care staff that have a real passion for family. If you are an active advocate for your loved one’s care make sure the staff will welcome your input and suggestions. If your family member thrives on attention or needs a great deal of care make sure there is adequate staff to provide it. Meet the General Manager. They set the tone for the whole facility.
You will get a sense for what level of communication staff has with residents by witnessing their interaction with people. If they make eye contact, smile and offer a friendly hand or help, this should help you to know the type of community you are visiting.
Thorough planning and research may be a luxury.
It’s always wise to shop for assisted living before you need it. You may have to make a choice in a crisis or after an unexpected hospital stay. Seek the help of professionals, visit each community and ask about short term or respite stays. They are a great way to see if a community is right for your family member and you.
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Last update: 2007-05-05 22:03
Author: Tech Support
Revision: 1.1
