Helping Your Parents Move Into An Assisted Living Community

When you or a family member gets older, the day may come when it is necessary to look into an assisted living center. When you tour a facility, it is important to have some criteria in mind to help you determine if it will meet your needs. The following is not a conclusive list, but it should at least provide a starting space for starting your own list. 

Cleanliness

One key factor when looking at where you or a loved one will be living is how clean the center is. While looking for clean furniture and furnishings is important, you should also try to look in out of the way places, like window seals and corners behind coaches, beds, or chairs. You should also pay attention to water stains on the roof and smells. If you find a smell that is localized to one area, it is probably an isolated incident; if you find pervasive smells throughout the facility, this indicates a more widespread problem. In either case, be sure to ask whoever is giving you the tour about the smell and about cleaning procedures. 

Activities

If possible, try to schedule a tour for when the facility is hosting some sort of an activity. This will give you an idea of what type of activities you can expect and to rub shoulders with residents. You can learn a lot while you and/or your loved one participates in the activity. Watch the way the staff interact with other residents, ask about other activities, and talk to other residents about how satisfied they are with their experience. You will then have ample material to help you determine if you will like the activities provided, if the staff seem friendly and professional, and if the other residents like the facility. 

Working Lunch

You should also try to take a meal while you are at the facility. Not only will you be able to sample the cuisine provided at the center, but you will have yet another chance to talk with residents and staff. The more information you can get about the residents' level of satisfaction and the way the staff interacts with residents, the better. 

If you know what you are looking for, you can learn pretty much everything you need to know make an informed decision just by taking a tour of an assisted living center. The timing of your tour is key to getting an authentic experience and learning from residents. Because choosing senior healthcare services to provide care for you or a loved one is an important decision, make sure you gather as much information as you can before you make a choice.