To ensure that your beloved family member moves into an outstanding assisted living center, research and visit as many licensed facilities as you can. As you proceed, try to answer the following questions about each of them. Above all, consider the people who work there. What's the turnover rate, and do job candidates undergo thorough background screenings? How many professionals are on duty during the day and at night, and what's the ratio of employees to residents? Also, find out if nurses are always stationed there, and ask about the training that staff members receive. Will your family member be assessed for special needs, and how often will that assessment be updated? Likewise, how regular are medical checkups? If your loved one suffers from a certain affliction, you'll want assurance that the staff includes people who are knowledgeable about that disorder. What's more, you can always learn something important just by approaching employees and asking basic questions. That is, how friendly and patient are those individuals? Scrutinize the complex inside and out. See what kinds of apartments are onsite and how spacious and clean they are. There should be generous amounts of storage space and such safety features as nonslip flooring, smoke detectors, handrails, and buttons that will summon help. In short, such a room must contain just about everything that your relative wants. For instance, he or she might be looking for a refrigerator, Internet access, and cable television. It makes daily life more pleasant for many residents if an assisted living center features a library, a living room, a fitness area, and a room for playing games. Each of those spaces should be well-lit, and all of the furniture should be in solid condition. Outdoor areas ― gardens and pathways for walks in particular ― are equally appealing. Review the center's costs, financing options, emergency plans, and policies, and verify that you and your family member find them to be agreeable. For example, your relative might want to have a cat, bring furniture from home, occasionally spend time away from the facility, invite guests, or have access to a personal washing machine and dryer. Finally, you might stop by the assisted living center at different hours of the day. Do most of the residents seem busy and happy each time? Are many of them socializing with each other? If so, you may have found a place that you can really trust.
Questions to Ask Before You Choose Your Assisted Living Center
