Finding the right senior community for your loved one is crucial. However, it is not as easy as it may seem. As you begin to explore the many options available, differentiating between them can start to get difficult. This is where a checklist can come in handy. As you tour each senior community, a checklist will help you keep track of the features in each, making it easier to compare between the various facilities.
Here are a few points that you should include when creating your checklist.
Features of the Senior Community
- Is the community attractive and welcoming at the first glance?
- Does the community look like a place your loved one would call home?
- Is the grounds and exterior of the building well-maintained?
- Will your loved one be able to move and navigate around the garden and building with ease?
- Does the senior community offer different floor plans that you can choose from?
- How is the interior lighting in the community? Is it warm, calming and inviting? Or, is it garish and loud?
- Does the community look clean? Are the corners clean? Is the carpet vacuumed and washed? Are the walls freshly painted and clean? Sniff to detect underlying odors
- Is the furniture for the residents comfortable?
- Does the community have common areas where residents can socialize and enjoy entertainment?
- Is there ample parking for visitors?
- What is your gut feeling about the facilities? Do you feel good about the place or do you have a vague feeling of uneasiness?
Senior Care Services and Residency Terms
Visit the senior community during an activity or community event to get a better feel of the staff and level of care provided to residents.
- How does the staff treat each other?
- Is the staff kind and friendly with the residents?
- Do the seniors living in the community appear happy and well looked after?
- Is the management experienced, approachable and friendly?
- When you asked questions, was the staff able to answer them clearly and unhesitatingly?
- Are there fixed visiting hours for family and friends?
- Ask for a sample contract and check the terms and conditions, especially those for moving out if the resident is unhappy
- Does the senior community offer wider care services should the need of the resident change over a period of time?
- How and when are you expected to pay rent?
- Asked for the itemized inclusions in the rent
- When and who reviews care plans for each resident?
- Who will pay the utilities for the community?
- How is personal care of individual residents handled?
- Are the bathrooms senior-friendly?
- What are the measures in place to ensure safety and security of residents?
Location of the Community and Amenities for Seniors
- Is the community located in the vicinity of conveniences such as grocery stores, hospital, pharmacy and public transportation?
- What makes the senior community different from other similar communities?
- Does the community allow residents to bring their pets?
- What amenities does the community offer residents? Concierge, theater, spa, pool or gym?
- What types of events and activities are held on a daily basis for residents?
- What is the menu like and how often is it changed?
- What time and how are meals served every day?
- Do individual rooms have cable TV and Wi-Fi?
Using the same checklist for all facilities that you tour will make it easier for you to compare between them and make the best choice for your loved one.
