Tips to Selecting an Assisted Living Facility

Posted on | March 24, 2010

Placing an aging parent has got to be one of the most difficult task one may ever face. Let’s face it, we all want what is best for our parents and when safety is compromised, selecting the “right” care home becomes critical. Here are some factors that you should consider when shopping for the best senior care facility for your Mom or Dad.

1. Location – Select a location that will allow your Mom or Dad to have visitors. There may be an esthetically pleasing assisted living facility fifteen miles away but the reality is that perhaps you should settle on a location closer to your home where mom’s good friend lives so quality time and frequent visits will not put a strain on your relationship. Ultimately you are looking for good quality senior care and that should always be your priority. Thirty minutes of just “people watching” will allow you also to observe the lifestyle of the senior retirement community to help you determine if you can envision Mom or Dad living there.
2. Fees - Caregivers and seniors alike should investigate the assisted living/nursing home management company. Often times senior retirement companies buy out various properties. If you select a property that has a financially strong Parent Company backing them then chances are Fees will change with the trend of the location. The worst is your loved one selects a property to relocate and the property is sold to another management company with a significant price increase and the uncertainty with new management altering the overall lifestyle of a community.
3. Food – If food is important to you, you better sample the food. Often caregivers and seniors alike do not take the time to sample the cuisine from the dining room of a community. From simply observing the variety of meals a senior retirement community offers can alleviate the unknown of “what’s for dinner”.
4. Tour – If your tour is scheduled for 1pm, show up half an hour early. Scope out the parking lot for other caregivers and inquiry about their own satisfaction about the community. Everyone has an opinion and its best to collect as many unsolicited comments regarding the property and quality of care as best as possible.
5. Turnover – Be sure to inquiry about community staff turnover. Employee turnover is critical to gain an understanding of the type of care you can possibly expect. I toured recently Arden Courts Alzheimer’s Assisted Living in West Palm Beach, Florida and met Rosalie. Rosalie is a home health aide employed at Arden Courts of West Palm Beach for over 10 years!!!! Outstanding! There are plenty of compassionate health care professionals that truly are out to promote quality of living and work becomes family. Be on the look out for these shining stars when narrowing down your search for the “perfect” senior retirement community.

Category: Aging in America, Assisted Living, Caregiving, Independent Living, Senior Tour Reviews, Skilled Rehab/Nursing Homes, VA Benefits for Assisted Living|Home Care
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