There are a number of things to consider when looking for an assisted living community. Below is a list of seven questions you’ll want to ask before making your final decision. Basic services that such communities should offer include laundry, transportation, housekeeping and assistance with toiletry and medication.
What Type of Training Has The Team Received?
The best communities are those that hire certified and professionally trained staff. They should have outstanding compliance standards and you’ll want to learn about their evaluations, orientation procedures and overall philosophy. You should also find out the number of team members the community employs, as more personnel means faster assistance when it comes to nursing, therapy and meal preparation.
What Activities Does Your Community Offer?
A quality retirement community is one where members are encouraged to remain physically and mentally active for as long as possible. This includes events such as hiking trips, swimming, dancing, physical fitness as well as arts and crafts. Learning is a lifelong process, so if they offer workshops or educational courses that is definitely a plus.
Is the Team Available 24/7
Reputable retirement communities should have caretakers available 24/7 to cater to the needs of their residents. Emergencies won’t take a break after hours, and neither should they, as residents might need help with dressing, bathing or medication management at all hours of the day, so having a day and night shift is ideal.
Do The Residents Have a Voice?
The answer to this question is crucial, as many healthy retirees over the age of 65 value their independence and don’t like being told what to do. The best communities for such individuals are those that involve them in the decision making process, particularly when it comes to things such as meals, activities and care plans. Find out if the community offers residency council or town hall gatherings where residents and their families can discuss various issues.
How Many Community Residents Live There?
You want your loved one to join a community that has a good balance between caretakers and residents. If there are too many residents and not enough caretakers this means that the care for each individual resident may be lacking.
How are New Residents Welcomed?
The initial days or weeks spent in the community is crucial, as it will determine how your loved one feels about it. Getting settled in can be challenging, especially for someone who lived at their previous residence for decades, so quality communities are usually those that welcome newcomers with various programs and assist them in becoming acclimated to the new environment.
What Meal Services are Available?
Unfortunately, many retirement homes have developed a poor reputation for serving bland food. So when looking for a quality community, you’ll need to carefully consider the quality of the food they serve. A growing number of retirees are requesting restaurant level dining which uses fresh and local ingredients, and if the community you’re considering doesn’t offer this you’ll want to find one that does.
