Choosing a senior living facility for a senior loved one can be challenging and even painful. Because I am a Senior Living Advisor I’ve witnessed the stress families experience. Therefore I know what a relief assistance is for families as they navigate the complexities of finding the right senior living community. I know it’s not easy.
From the beginning, it is a challenge doing the necessary research to planning your priorities. Next, conducting site visits and then analyzing your options, the process is complicated and time consuming. That’s why many families turn to companies like mine, Senior Living Advisor, for help.
But for those who choose to go it alone and undertake the challenge of choosing a senior living facility for a loved one, I would like you to be aware that there are certain basic but essential questions to keep top-of-mind. Let’s consider these questions one by one:
No. 1. What are your loved one’s senior care and living needs?
Above all, this is the most important question when considering and choosing a senior living facility. After all, if the senior community can’t accommodate your loved one’s physical, medical, social and emotional needs on a day-to-day basis, it will not be the best alternative for aging in place. In particular, if your senior loved one has specific medical and healthcare requirements, make sure the facility can either provide these services in-house, or makes reasonable accommodations for healthcare professionals.
Get specific about individual needs. For example, if your senior loved one has personal care requirements like bathing and toileting assistance, you need more information. Find out if the facility can provide these essentials as frequently as needed.
No. 2. What does your budget allow?
In addition to knowing your loved one’s baseline requirements for the senior care services needed, you’ll also need to determine how much you can spend each month on senior care. Costs add up quickly, especially as the list of needed services is more demanding. For most families, financial assistance may be available. These sources can include Medicare and Medicaid, insurance, and even Veterans Administration benefits. Most senior communities can work with you. They help you to find and secure financial resources to cover the costs of placing your senior loved one in their facilities.
No. 3. Are the buildings and grounds in good shape and well-maintained?
A senior community that doesn’t maintain its buildings and grounds may be a sign that they are ill-equipped to provide the necessary care for your loved one. Even if you can’t judge this “book” by its cover, be sure to take a close look at what matters most: the level of care.
No. 4. Do interior spaces have odors, clutter or unclean areas?
In the same vein to the above question, this one provides answers to the likely level of care possible. Even if the resident-care staff is attentive and competent, unhygienic interior spaces can lead to serious illness or worse.
No. 5. Do the residents appear to be well-groomed, active and happy?
Senior facility residents need more than medical care. They also require adequate hygiene, internal and external activities to keep residents engaged and alert. Likewise, socialization opportunities to keep them optimistic and happy. When doing a site visit, observe the residents. If they do not seem content or well cared for, your loved one will probably not fare any better.
No. 6. Are staff members friendly and attentive?
Again, during a site visit, keep your eyes open for how the staff interacts and cares for the residents. You don’t want to see caregivers that seem stressed to the point that they take their frustrations out on the residents. Likewise, you won’t like if they don’t seem to approach their work with a caring servant attitude. Therefore, that gives you insight to urge you to look elsewhere.
No. 7. Does the facility have a good ratio of caregivers to residents?
In addition to caregiver’s demeanor and attitude, there is another contributing factor. There can be a lot of turnover in the caregiver field. So make sure the facility maintains enough staff to provide adequate care for the resident population.
No. 8. Is the location convenient and close to family and friends?
Don’t forget to consider the location of the facility. If it is too far away, your visits will likely become more stressful or less frequent. Most importantly, your loved one needs to see you as often as possible. Likewise, you can monitor not only their situation, but also the facility and staff when you visit more often.
No. 9. Do the physical care levels offered meet your current and future needs?
As your loved one ages, physical care needs will likely become more complex. Because aging in place is almost always superior to frequent moves, think of the future. Consequently, make sure the facility you choose can accommodate escalating care needs.
No. 10. Is the facility pet friendly?
Certainly, if your senior has a pet or enjoys having pets around, it would be important to make sure the senior community you choose is pet-friendly. However, keep in mind that pets can present concerns. For instance, too many pets roaming free could create a fall hazard. So consider that possibility, too.
Bottom Line:
In conclusion, questions like these are the first of many when it comes to navigating through the complex process of choosing a senior living facility for your loved one. While these questions are important, you will likely have many others specific to your family’s needs.
To sum up, making smart choices starts with asking critical questions and evaluating what you learn. That’s where we come in. At Senior Living Advisor, we make it easier for you to make better decisions. Therefore, you can be confident you’re doing all you can for your senior loved one.
Therefore, if you are not sure what other questions you should ask, or how to evaluate senior care facilities in your area, we can help. Contact me today.
Lona