Finding the right senior assisted living facility for your loved is one of the most important decisions you will make as a caregiver. Tours are a great way to decide which location is the best choice. These tours will give you the opportunity to actually see where your loved one would be sleeping, eating, and spending time, as well as ask the staff questions and get a firsthand view on how other residents seem to be doing. It is a good idea to approach the tours prepared for what to observe and which questions to ask. Here are some tips for making the most of these visits.
Follow Your Nose
How does the community look and smell? A clean space is incredibly important for avoiding infection in sick or elderly residents. Make sure to ask how often housekeeping will be provided in personal living spaces, as well as how frequently the laundry will be done. If you are routinely noticing odors, this may speak to a bigger cleanliness problem within the facility.
Visit During an Activity
Most assisted living facilities West Bloomfield Michigan offer community events or activities for their residents. Ask a manager if you can visit during one of these events and have your loved one participate. See how well attended the events are and if the attendees appear to be having fun. Check the calendar of activities and see if they match your loved one’s interests. If it’s important to you and your family, make sure to see if religious services are offered, as well.
Pay Attention to the Staff
The attitude and friendliness of the facility’s staff are important. Pay attention to how the staff is interacting with the residents. Do they listen and make eye contact? Do they raise their voices? These are the people that will be working with your loved one every day, so you need to make sure that you trust them.
Visit Outdoor Areas
Be sure to check out the outdoor spaces. It’s important that your loved ones have somewhere nice to visit, rather than sitting inside all day. You’ll also want to check to see that the outdoor spaces seem secure.
Check Out the Food
If you can, try and eat a meal at the property. The dining room experience is very important to seniors, as it allows them a chance to spend time with other residents, as well as get vital nutrients. Discuss entrée choices with the staff and how they accommodate special dietary needs. You’ll also want to check on what happens if a resident cannot make it to the dining hall for a meal.
Get Feedback
Ask residents and their families for their honest opinions of the senior assisted living facility. Personal reviews are invaluable when it comes to making an informed decision.
Although this process is not necessarily a fun one, if you plan ahead and tour as many facilities as possible, you’re sure to find one that will be a good fit for your loved one. Take his or her opinion into consideration, of course, and you will find a solution that works for everyone.
