With an ever-growing and broad range of assisted living home alternatives, determining the ideal assisted care home for your loved one can be time-consuming. Consider things such as staff friendliness, amenities, and overall culture while making your decision. This article can assist you if you’re wondering, “How do I choose an assisted living community?” Check out these five important factors to think about while selecting an assisted living community.
Services
While most assisted living facilities include dining services, housekeeping, exercise and wellness programs, and medication management assistance, others specialize in specific health requirements. This is a supply-and-demand situation. For example, about 60% of assisted living homes currently have an Alzheimer’s disease or dementia program, the same percentage have a diabetes program, and nearly half have heart and depression programs.
Many facilities also invest in quality-of-life initiatives, such as art and pet therapy, computer and piano lounges, and community outings. Inquire about alternative services they may provide to expose folks to more of the outside world.
Location
If you’re going to visit your loved one from time to time or if you have other family members who want to do so, make certain that the assisted living facility you chose welcomes visitors. For example, if you choose a facility that is located in the middle of nowhere, it may take you several hours to travel out, visit, and then return home. It may reduce the frequency with which you see your loved ones.
If an assisted living home is located in a rural location, there may not be much to do outside as well. Some seniors are quite active and independent, and they may become bored fast if there are no nearby grocery stores, movie theaters, or restaurants.
Keep in mind that the sort of care provided may be influenced by the location. Some clinics are unable to provide some medical treatments due to state regulations. If your loved ones are self-sufficient and healthy, this may not be an issue.
You’ll also need to think about the hours of operation. Are they practical and appropriate for you and your family? It may be more difficult if everyone is continually busy with activities, school, and employment.
Size
The number of beds at a facility varies widely, and this can have a significant impact on the overall atmosphere. This is primarily a matter of personal preference, similar to deciding between a small village and a huge city. Keep in mind that, in addition to your experience, the types of services provided may be influenced by your size. Larger facilities typically offer a greater range of amenities, including swimming pools and entertainment. They might also have units dedicated to memory care.
Bottom Line
These are just a few of the questions and issues to think about when looking for an assisted care facility for a loved one. Additional inquiries may arise as family members try to gain a true sense of what a loved one might expect while transitioning from living alone to living in a house shared with and maintained by others.
