Finding The Right Assisted Living Facility: How To Get The Most Out Of Your Tour

Finding the right assisted living facility for a loved one takes the utmost care, attention, and diligence. Individuals must consider associated costs, services provided, staff quality, facility design, and overall healthcare level. Getting the most out of a facility tour depends on a careful assessment and asking the right questions.

Determine individuals needs

Different assisted living facilities can have more experience working with certain medical conditions. Before visiting an assisted living facility, individuals should assess the physical demands of the patient. Knowing the priorities and keeping a list handy can make choosing from a long menu of facilities a breeze.

Check the events calendar

Assisted living spaces often have a running list of daily or weekly activities to keep the residents engaged, connected, and happy. Facilities will often let visitors sit in on or participate in a scheduled activity. Assessing the types of activities provided and the quality of the events can narrow down the choice of facility.

Smell the fresh air

The inside of a living area is only one part of the facility designed for peace and contentment. Visitors should take an extensive walk through the outdoor areas. Are the areas designed for easy mobility? What outdoor amenities are provided? A clean and open outdoor space is integral to resident satisfaction.

Try the food

Visitors should try the food at least once. Food quality and variety can differ from facility to facility. Additionally, visitors should ensure that the assisted living facility can accommodate the resident’s dietary restrictions. Stopping in for a meal can also give visitors a chance to mingle among residents and ask questions.

Talk to residents and families

Past and current resident feedback can provide enormous insight into the facility’s daily living situation. Facility management can direct visitors to a resident council or individual willing to answer a prospective resident’s questions. Online review databases can also provide unbiased and detailed reviews of each community.

Assess staff care

In terms of staff care, visitors should note the bedside manner of the staff and meet the management staff to get peace of mind. Visitors should also pay attention to the ratio of staff to patients. Visitors should feel free to ask the individual staff members questions for a better understanding of the level of care provided.

Make an informed decision

Patients deserve the best level of treatment at an affordable price. Involving the patient in the process can make finding the proper housing a more fulfilling process. Choosing as a team can streamline the transition into a new phase of life. Finding the right assisted living facility for a loved one can be stressful, but the time-intensive process is worthwhile.