Is an Assisted Living Facility the Correct Environment for My Loved One?
October 6, 2021 Posted In Uncategorized
Assisted living facilities are designed for older people who do not require round-the-clock healthcare but need help with daily activities such as bathing or dressing. Facilities typically offer multiple levels of care depending on your loved one’s needs and what you can afford. However, making a decision on whether it is the correct environment for a loved one can be challenging. Here is what to consider first.
Benefits of an Assisted Living Facility
A good assisted living community gives residents ample choices and lets them decide what they want to do, where they want to go, what they want to learn, and with whom they want to socialize. All the chores of getting through the day are done by someone else, and assisted living facilities are typically less expensive than a nursing home.
When deciding, it can be helpful to talk to residents who chose the assisted living path for themselves. Some residents choose assisted living to remain socially active without having to maintain a house, pay bills, or cook. While others do not have family members who could provide caregiving or did not want to place this burden on them.
Signs It May Be Time to Talk About Assisted Living
- Chronic health problems
- Becoming aggressive
- Recent falls
- Forgetting to take medicine
- Unable to handle daily life activities
- Displaying symptoms of depression and feeling alone
- Poor eating habits
- Poor hygiene
- Sundowning (individual with dementia becomes more agitated at the end of the day)
- Wandering off
- Caregiver stress
Finding the Best Assisting Living Community
If you decide an assisted living facility is suitable for your loved one, it is critical to research your options before choosing one. Abuse and neglect in assisted living facilities is a significant issue that is best prevented by selecting the right home for your loved one.
Read Reviews
Search for and read reviews of senior living communities near you.
Background Check
Check the background information on the facilities you are considering, including inspection summaries and violation histories.
Speak to a Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Ask for recommendations from a local long-term care ombudsman, a government official, or a volunteer who works to resolve issues related to the health, safety, and rights of residents in nursing homes or senior living facilities.
Take a Tour
Visiting assisted living facilities is critical to your decision as to whether you will trust the facility with your loved one’s care. Consider the following:
- Cleanliness and whether it smells pleasant
- A logical floor plan that’s easy to follow
- Well-lit stairs and hallways with well-marked exits
- What the ratio of staff and medical personnel to residents is
- Whether there are enough common areas, such as dens and living rooms
- Large enough rooms for your family member’s needs
- Rooms and bathrooms with handrails and call buttons
- Working call buttons
- Safety locks on doors and windows
- Security and fire safety systems
- Services such as banking, a beauty salon, or a café
- If there is an emergency generator or alternative power source in case of an outage
Ask plenty of questions to get to know caregivers and about the staff members that provide daily support, including their qualifications and whether they receive additional training from the facility.
Meet with an Elder Law Attorney
Before you sign a contract, have a Riverside nursing home abuse lawyer and a financial advisor carefully review it. Take it home and go over it with other family members as well.