Choosing an Assisted Living Facility

Facility Checklist Provider Agreement & Policies:
• Do the admission criteria match my needs? Space:
• Is the bedroom private or shared?
• Is bathroom safety equipment installed?
• Am I involved in the care planning process? Personal Services: Does the facility provide:
• Assistance with dressing? Staff:
• What is the administrator’s training? Meals:
• Are specialized diets available? Socialization:
• Are activities available within the facility? Communication: • Facility communicate with family/physician? • Do you feel comfortable talking with the: Facility Observations:
• Have I toured the entire facility? |
What is Assisted Living?Assisted living is an option for senior citixens who want or need help with some of the activities of daily living (or ADL's). Assisted living becomes a viable option if you or your loved one is havig trouble with everyday activities like cooking meals, getting to the bathroom, keeping house, and driving or traveling.
Assisted living facilities are a good choice if you need more personal care than you can get at home or an independent living retirement community. You don’t need 24 hour medical care and supervision - you're just needing assistance with some activities of your life as they become a challenge for you with aging.
Assisted living facilities offer the safety and security of 24-hour support and access to care. Day or night, help is on-premises and immediately available with the pull of an emergency call apparatus standard with most assisted living rooms.
With assisted living facilities privacy and independence are encouraged.A good facility will develop a personalized plan that meets your needs and accommodates your disabilities, while giving you the freedom to do what you can for yourself. Some provide apartment-style living with scaled down kitchens - others provide rooms. Some facilities offer semi-private shared rooms for those unwilling to pay higher cost. Most facilities feature group dining rooms and common areas for social and recreational activities.
Services at a typical assisted living facility
• Three meals a day served in a common dining area
Is an Assisted Living Facility Right For You?If you’re trying to decide whether assisted living is right for you, ask yourself the following questions:
Do you need more help than family and friends are able to provide? Are the activities of daily living becoming stressful or overwhelming? If family or in-home help is not able to bridge the gap, assisted living is an option.
Choosing an Assisted Living FacilityWhat to look for in the staff:
• Do they have time to speak with you or does it feel rushed? • Do they appear happy?
Other Considerations When Choosing an Assisted Living Facility An assisted living facility should feel friendly, safe, and comfortable to you when you are visiting and touring a new facility. The bottom line is that the right facility for you is the one where you feel most at home. The facility should be clean and well maintained, of course, but the facility you’ll be happiest at won’t necessarily be the most fancy or expensive.
Of course feeling comfortable and having a sense of home is a matter of personal preference. Do you prefer a smaller, cozier environment, or would you rather be in a larger, bustling place with more activities? Are external building asthetics, such as gardens or other greenery, important to you? ALl of these things are to be taken into consideration.
All facilities offer activities however, they may not appeal to your particular tastes or interests. You need to inquire if there are hobbies or activities on site, and whethere transportation is available to events off premises? Does the facility have amenities that are important to you such as a gym, recreation center, library, or a chapel?
Eating habits are also to be taken into consideration. Are you able to eat in your room if you'd like? What kinds of food are served and does the facility offer a seasonal menu?
How are health problems handled? How does the facility handle both emergency and non-emergency problems? If you develop a medical condition, will you be able to remain at the facility? At what point would you be required to move elsewhere for medical care?
Is the facility in compliance with state and local licensing requirements? Each state has different standards, so you will want to check with your local regulatory agency to make sure that the facility is licensed and in compliance. You can also check the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been lodged against the facility. |

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