Choosing A Great Assisted Living Center

6 Essential Tips For Choosing An Assisted Living Care Facility

22 October 2021 by Amanda Palmer

Moving a parent or loved one into assisted living care can be a difficult decision, but also a rewarding one. Assisted living facilities offer assisted living care to seniors who need help with daily activities, such as bathing and dressing. You want to make sure that assisted living care staff can provide the kind of support that meets your loved one's needs and goals before you put down any money.

If you are considering assisted living, here are six tips to help you make an informed choice:

What is the Staff-To-Patient Ratio?

It is important that an assisted living care facility has a high staff-to-patient ratio. The management of the community should be able to tell you exactly how many staff members they have on duty at any given time and how many patients they have during a day. They should also tell you how long it takes the assisted living care facility to respond to assistance calls.

Is the Staff Caring?

The assisted living staff should be well-trained, highly qualified, and compassionate toward your loved one. They should be able to respond quickly to your loved one's needs and recognize any signs of distress or discomfort. If you observed the staff interacting with other assisted living residents, did they seem happy?

Is the Facility Clean?

The assisted living care facility should appear clean and professional at all times. When you visit during mealtime, for instance, are the assisted living residents' plates clean? Are utensils, food preparation surfaces, and other important areas clean too?

Is the Food Nutritious?

Ask to see menus when you visit potential assisted living facilities. Do the assisted living residents seem enthusiastic about the choices offered at mealtime? If your loved one is on a special diet because of allergies, check that the facility can accommodate their dietary needs.

Are There Activities?

A well-rounded assisted living care facility should offer the residents several daily activities to choose from. Look for assisted living activities that are age-appropriate and include choices your loved one will enjoy. If you have other suggestions, share them with assisted living staff so they can add them to the list.

Ask About Assisted Living Services

Do the assisted living facility services meet your loved one's needs? Does staff offer good follow-up on essential services, such as medications or bathing? If you have concerns about assisted living services, talk with the administrators about it. It's always advisable to work with the staff to develop a care plan that meets your loved one's needs.

The Bottom Line

When your loved one needs extra help in their day-to-day lives, assisted living can be a great option. However, there are always some important factors to consider when choosing the right assisted living care facility. For more information, go to websites that offer these services and facilities.

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