Tips for Choosing the Best Assisted Living Facility for Your Loved One
When the time comes to make a decision regarding your loved one’s future living arrangements, you may be met with an array of emotions, including guilt, fear, and sadness.
However, choosing an assisted living facility for your loved one is nothing to feel negatively about. Approximately 1 million Americans over the age of 65 live in assisted living facilities across the nation.
Finding the right housing fit for your loved one can be a fulfilling experience for your loved one and everyone involved if approached using the right strategies. Fortunately, Placita In Home Care’s compassionate experts are here to help guide you through this decision with some valuable tips.
Understand Your Priorities
Each family is different; therefore, your priority list of preferred amenities, price ranges, and care services may look different than someone else going through the process of finding a suitable assisted living facility for their loved one who can no longer safely live on their own.
Our guide will help you to understand better your wants and needs when choosing their new home.
Consider Affordability
The cost of an assisted living facility will vary depending on the level of service and features available at the home.
It is important to have a thorough understanding of your budget when browsing potential assisted living placements in order to avoid having your loved one decide on a home that is too far out of the budget.
Before you begin your search, lay out a comprehensive financial plan of how you can allocate your or your loved one’s budget toward their senior care needs.
By understanding the full scope of your budget, you can set a maximum price point for the assisted living property you decide on.
Assisted Living vs. Nursing Homes
Another consideration to keep in mind is that an assisted living facility is not a nursing home, and it’s imperative to recognize the difference in order to secure the most suitable senior care and living arrangement for your loved one.
A nursing home is a special type of living arrangement that caters to seniors who need daily medical attention.
On the other hand, an assisted living facility may offer additional support for daily tasks, but they do not provide daily medical care.
However, certain assisted living facilities may offer additional services, so it’s important to inquire before settling on a community to ensure it meets your loved one’s needs.
Conduct Thorough Research
The beauty of the internet is that reading reviews and doing research regarding the reputation of assisted living facilities has never been easier.
It’s critical to do thorough research on each assisted living facility on your list to get a better understanding of the level of care they provide and whether other families are satisfied with their services.
By reading reviews, you can get a deeper understanding of the good and bad experiences others may have had, providing you with more insight than you would get from a guided tour alone.
However, while reviews are helpful, it’s still important to schedule a tour before making any permanent decisions.
Get Acquainted With the Staff
If your family has found the perfect assisted living facility for your loved one, the next step requires getting acquainted with the staff.
Your loved one is important to you, and you want them to experience the same level of love, respect, and compassion that they experience when they are cared for by family.
For this reason, we recommend meeting the employees of the assisted living facility and familiarizing yourself with the people who will be in charge of caring for your loved one.
Employees who are passionate about their position and exude positive energy and high levels of professionalism and care are more trustworthy than withdrawn workers who seem to be indifferent.
Check the Nutrition Quality
Nutrition is a vital aspect of overall well-being; therefore, it’s essential to check out the assisted living facility’s meal plans to ensure your loved one will be well taken care of and satisfied at every meal.
Additionally, you should voice any dietary preferences or restrictions to be sure the community can accommodate your loved one’s unique needs.
During your tour, you may ask to see the area where they prepare the food and learn how they manage portion sizes to get a better idea of how mealtime is handled to ensure your loved one is in good hands.
Furthermore, if the home serves your loved one’s favorite meal, it can greatly improve their happiness levels and give them something to look forward to.
Convenient Location
It’s best to choose an assisted living facility that is located near your home. A short drive to the assisted living facility will facilitate any emergency situations and allow you to visit your loved one frequently, so they do not feel lonely or isolated.
This also enables you not to have to drastically modify your lifestyle in order to see your loved one as much as you’d like.
Choosing an assisted living facility that is not nearby your home may initially seem like a good idea if the facility offers many amenities.
However, it can quickly become a strain and may reduce the number of visits your loved one may receive, which can negatively impact their happiness and quality of life.
Memory Care
If your loved one is struggling with dementia or Alzheimer’s and requires additional dementia care services, it’s essential to find an assisted living facility that can safely and efficiently accommodate their unique needs.
These facilities may offer more structured routines that help keep stress and confusion at bay while providing them with a secure and calm environment.
Reputable memory care services are conducted by highly trained and certified experts who are knowledgeable in all aspects of dementia care. These compassionate individuals will understand all of the complexities of dementia care, offering additional support and check-ins that support the well-being of your loved one.
Choosing the Best Home for Your Loved One
Finding the perfect assisted living placement for your loved one can change the trajectory of your life, as it allows you to return to your role as their loved one rather than their primary caretaker, while ensuring that they are moving to a safe and dignified environment where they can thrive.
Once you’ve carefully assessed each of the mentioned aspects of searching for a suitable living facility, you will be prepared to make sound decisions regarding your loved one’s senior care, which in turn will provide you with peace of mind.
Reach Out to The Senior Care Specialists for Expert Guidance
The senior care specialists at Placita In Home Care understand that browsing potential senior living facilities can be a strenuous task that may leave you feeling overwhelmed.
That is why we extend our compassionate services and expert knowledge to families who require additional support and guidance when making significant decisions regarding their loved one’s future.
Contact our friendly senior care experts today to learn more about the details and benefits of assisted living and discover how we can help you make the best choice for your family.