Your Dad always took pride in his appearance and enjoyed trying different foods and experiences. But recently, you’ve noticed he has appeared a bit disheveled, has lost some weight, and has been more socially withdrawn.
You’ve discussed with your siblings that you think Dad may need some assistance with tasks of daily living, but are also nervous about those potential challenges, as you and your siblings all work full-time and have busy family schedules. In our guide, we outline:
- Key Signs and Timing: Learn the subtle indicators that an individual needs help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and why earlier intervention in the assisted living process is often better than waiting for a crisis.
- Three Essential Areas to Evaluate: Discover a structured approach for touring communities, focusing on crucial factors like the physical environment, the quality of care and staff training, and the range of social activities offered.
- Critical Questions to Ask: Read our comprehensive checklist of specific questions to ask the staff, covering topics such as pricing, emergency procedures, staffing ratios, and future restrictions if a resident needs Medicaid.
Keep reading to learn more about assisted living environments, and how they can help someone just like your dad have the best quality of life possible in his golden years — along with giving you peace of mind.
Table of Contents
Recognizing When Assisted Living Might Be a Good Fit
Senior Services of America communities provide the full range of senior living options and levels of care to accommodate every lifestyle. Our residents are encouraged to pursue personal interests and maximize their independence while still receiving the supportive services they may require.
Within senior living accommodation, there are further divisions in care levels based on the needs of the resident.
- Independent living: Designed for seniors who do not require assistance with daily activities like medication management or help with bathing or dressing.
- Assisted living: An assisted living setting provides a nurturing, comfortable, and home-like environment, while offering supportive services such as medication management, bathing, and daily dressing and grooming.
- Memory care: These secured residential arrangements are dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s Disease or other types of dementia. These comfortable care environments provide daily needs like medication, bathing and dressing, and assistance with eating as needed.
What Three Key Things Should Be Considered When Looking at an Assisted Living Facility?
When choosing an assisted living facility for you or your loved one, three common key considerations that you may encounter are:
- Cost
- Monthly fees
- Insurance participation or coverage
- Potential ancillary or a la carte charges
- Location and accessibility
- Proximity to family and friends
- Accessibility to current physicians and healthcare preferences
- Close by preferred community resources, churches, etc.
- Quality of care and services
- Staff qualifications
- Staffing ratios
- Available activities and groups
- Facility amenities
How To Research Assisted Living Facilities
Assisted living is housing for seniors who need assistance with tasks like bathing, dressing, and grooming. You may hear it referred to as a residential care facility, long-term care facility, assisted living facility, or board and care home.
While care is a big part of assisted living, these communities also offer activities and services to make life easier and more enjoyable.
When planning a potential move into a senior living community, consider the following:
- Research different establishments in the desired area.
- Compare the financial requirements of each home or facility.
- Discuss the personal logistics of a move, such as the need to sell a home.
- Be sure the community offers the desired amenities.
- Discuss a plan in case healthcare needs increase.
- Tour as many communities as needed to be confident in your choice.
What To Look for in An Assisted Living Facility: 6 Key Considerations
After you have done some research and jotted down a few options, take the time to visit the facilities of your choice in person. You will not know if it is a good fit for you or your loved one without visiting.
Additionally, be sure to make both scheduled and unscheduled visits. Facilities won’t have guaranteed red carpets rolled out if you pop in unannounced, which can reveal the true colors of daily operations.
#1: Care and Safety
Of course, the main reason you are searching for an assisted living facility is to find the best care and safety for your loved one.
However, the essential care needs can be balanced with personal preferences. Discuss what practical needs are most important, along with potential care needs for the future.
Find the best facility by striking a balance with physical, social, cognitive, and lifestyle preferences that are key to the best quality of life.
- Is the facility inspected regularly by state government agencies?
- What are the communities:
- Staffing ratios
- Quality measure compliance
- Health inspection scores
- Is the community licensed?
- Do staff receive specialized training to support residents with additional health concerns, such as:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Dementia
- Parkinson’s disease
#2: Abuse Prevention
Residents in any facility are expected to be protected from any form of abuse.
Residents’ rights are written guidelines that must be followed, ensuring each person receives dignified and respectful treatment.
- Is each employee screened before being hired to be sure they do not have a history of abuse allegations?
- What are the community’s policies and procedures on reporting abuse or neglect?
- If a resident has a concern about safety or care, how do they report it?
- How does the facility handle potential allegations or findings of abuse or neglect?
- Have there been recent facility allegations or citations of abuse or neglect?
Questionable observations that may include red flags of ill-treatment:
- Does the staff speak kindly to the residents?
- Do any of the residents appear inappropriately fearful of staff?
- Do any of the residents appear to be purposely isolated or secluded from others?
#3: Facility and Resident Maintenance
The appearance of the facility grounds, the general maintenance of the building and resident rooms, along with the appearance of the current residents, can speak volumes about the daily care that is being delivered.
Take note of the following observations:
- Resident rooms are tidy, free from clutter, and beds are made.
- The facility is free from unpleasant odors.
- The staff appear clean and professional.
- Residents are clean, well-groomed, and appropriately dressed for the season and time of day.
- Are noise levels acceptable in resident rooms and common areas?
#4: Food & Nutrition
Especially as loved ones grow older, food preferences and nutritional needs may change greatly from when they were younger. It is important not only to meet potential medical and dietary needs, but also for residents to have options and choices of food.
Questions to consider related to food and nutritional needs:
- Will I have a choice of food items for each meal?
- Does the facility provide for my individual dietary needs and preferences, such as restrictions for heart health and diabetes?
- Can the staff help me eat and drink at mealtimes, if necessary?
#5: Staffing
Staffing ratios are not only important for the appropriate care of the residents but also prevent staff burnout and overall morale of the facility.
Considerations related to staffing:
- How many licensed nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are scheduled for each shift?
- How will the staff handle a potential medical need during the day or on off-hours of the day?
- Does the staff receive continuing education, and how frequently, if so?
- What is the policy if there is insufficient staff related to illness or absences?
#6: Lifestyle and Accommodations
Other than your new living arrangements, life does not have to look much differently than before your move to assisted living — and it is important to remain active with your friends and family outside your new community.
Grocery trips, physician appointments, and family gatherings may still be part of your life. In fact, many assisted living facilities provide routine transportation for these nearby services so you can still maintain your life outside the community.
Some other questions regarding lifestyle to ask include:
- Will I have access to the internet, a computer, a personal phone, and a television?
- Are there policies and procedures to protect residents’ assets or possessions, such as lockable cabinets and closets?
- Are extra activities provided for residents who might be unable to leave their rooms?
- Are residents able to leave the community for a few hours or days, and what is the procedure to do so?
- How will the nursing home help support my religious or cultural needs?
- Are there private rooms available?
- Are there restrictions for living here in the future if I need to apply for Medicaid? Will my room need to be changed?
- What are the policies and procedures for emergency events?
Senior Services of America: Offering Support You Can Rely on in a Trusted Assisted Living Community
You’ve decided to transition to an assisted living community. Allow our team to help make it a smooth one for you and your family.
Our communities provide the full range of senior living options and levels of care to accommodate every lifestyle. Our residents are encouraged to pursue personal interests and maximize their independence while still receiving the supportive services they may require.
Contact your nearby Senior Services of America community today for additional information and tours, and begin a seamless transition to a healthy, safe, and active assisted living environment.
The content in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.