If you have a loved one that is struggling to get by and could do with assistance and support, it may be time to consider assisted living. These communities can help your loved one if personal care, preparing meals, managing medication, and day-to-day tasks have become difficult to do.
Once it has been decided that your loved one is better in an assisted living facility, it’s time to find one that caters to their needs. To narrow down your search and make things easier, here are five steps to selecting the right assisted living community.
Pay Attention to Detail
Before choosing an assisted living facility for your loved one, it’s recommended to go on a visit first. This will give you a feel for the place and help you decide whether it aligns with what your loved one needs. When on a tour, make sure you pay attention to detail. These include the cleanliness of the facility, curb appeal, and layout and design. First impressions count, so if something doesn’t feel right, it’s best to trust your gut feeling and continue your search.
Talk to Staff
When visiting assisted living communities, use this as an opportunity to engage with staff. Whether it’s caregivers, admin, or the manager of the facility, getting to know them on a personal level and how they run things can sway your mind into choosing them or looking elsewhere. You should feel welcomed with open arms when on a visit, so if this isn’t the case, it’s best to check out other facilities instead.
Look for Activities
The thought of your loved one being in assisted living can fill you with stress and anxiety. However, knowing they’re keeping busy and staying social can put your mind at ease. Therefore, make sure to check out what kinds of activities and events the community runs. For example, some communities offer dance classes and gardening sessions that can bring seniors together and keep them active and communicating. If the assisted living community has a jam-packed schedule, your loved one is bound to find an activity they enjoy.
Sample the Cuisine
As your loved one ages, their health and mobility will begin to decline. There are things they can do to keep in good health, such as eating healthy, so when you’re touring an assisted living facility, sample the cuisine! Incorporating a meal into the visit can give you an opportunity to check out the cafeteria options, and a chance to speak to other residents. If the food isn’t up to scratch or the menu is a little bare, it may be time to cross this community off the list.
Ask Questions
You’ll inevitably have an array of questions you want to be answered by an assisted living facility. From how the bedroom is designed to what furnishings are provided, make sure to ask plenty of questions. In terms of location, you can look into assisted living near me from Monarch Communities which can give you peace of mind knowing your loved one is always nearby.
Finding the right assisted living facility can be overwhelming, especially with the number of communities to pick from. However, if you do all the above, this should help in whittling down the list and choosing a community that’s perfect for your loved one.