When you are looking for an assisted living facility for your loved one, it is really important to compare different centers and compare each one with the others before you make your final decision.
The fact is, every center is unique, not just in terms of the facilities they offer but also in terms of the community itself. Every center will differ from the others in the activities they offer, the staff-to-resident ratio and even their menu and meal times. Some may be pet-friendly, while others aren’t.
When you consider that your loved one will be living in the facility for an extended period of time, you want to make sure that the one you choose is the right fit. The best way to compare different facilities is by creating one checklist with the features that you need to check at each assisted living facility.
How A Checklist Can Help
A look through your checklist will give you a good idea of which centers have what you are looking for. This will help you narrow down your list to just a few facilities. You can then compare those few and narrow down your list even more till you find that special place that has everything you are looking for.
Here are a few things your checklist must have:
Things To Enquire About Before Your Visit
Don’t make the mistake of presuming anything just by looking at the brochures. It is always better to ask questions and get answers directly from the management.
Some questions you must ask are:
- How many living units are there?
- Do all units have kitchenettes or kitchens?
- Are there different types and sizes of units?
- Do the units have their own private bathrooms?
- How often can you visit and are there any restrictions regarding timings and days of the week?
- What is the resident to staff ratio?
- Are the staff all trained and experienced?
- Is there a written care plan for every resident?
- Can residents opt for their own doctors, pharmacies, and therapists?
- Are special care units available such as for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease?
Lastly, ask to see the contract regarding the services, fees, discharge and admission policies. You will learn a lot just by reading this document.
Things To Form Your Own Judgment During A Visit To The Facility
There are certain aspects you need to understand and determine for yourself. During your visit to the facility, pay special attention to these details:
- Does the residence look neat, clean and cheerful?
- Are all the exits well marked?
- Are there are fire and security safety systems available and easy to access?
- Are the hallways are stairways well lit?
- Is there an alternative power source or emergency generator on the premises?
- Do the doors and windows have safety locks installed on them?
- Do the apartments/units look and feel cheerful?
- Do the bathrooms and rooms have call buttons and handrails?
Questions To Ask After Your Visit
After you’ve toured the facility and if it meets your approval with regards to most terms, there are still a few more questions you must ask before you give your final seal of approval.
- Are there any staff members who are available on overnight duty?
- Is a nurse on staff available all round the clock?
- Can medications be administered by staff members?
- Is any initial assessment necessary before admissions?
- Is any kind of outdoor space available?
- Can your staff diagnose and correctly look after the residents?
- Is there a waitlist that exists? If yes, what is the policy and how many are on it?
- Per apartment type, what exactly is the cost per month?
- What services are included in the monthly fee and which services are excluded?
- What is your discharge policy?
- Are residents allowed to keep a pet in the unit/apartment?
When you have the answers to all of these questions for each facility, you will find that it is much easier to compare several facilities and choose one that is the best fit for your loved one.
