Key Things to Look for In an Assisted Living Facility

Key Things to Look for In an Assisted Living Facility

If you are looking for an assisted living community for yourself or a loved one, it’s important to make the right choice. There are many assisted living communities throughout the United States to choose from so it’s vital that before beginning your search, you have an idea of exactly what you expect from the community where you or your senior loved one will live.

We’ve listed below the key factors you should take into consideration for both yourself or your loved one and the facility you are looking at.

Location
If you or other relatives intend on visiting your loved one regularly, you need to find an assisted living community that is convenient to visit often. If you choose a facility, for instance, that is way out in the middle of nowhere, visits may take hours just to drive out and drive home, limiting the amount of time you actually have to visit your family members. Communities that are in remote locations may also have limited activities nearby. Many seniors remain independent and active, and without easy access to movie theaters, shopping, restaurants, etc, boredom may set in rather quickly.

You should also keep in mind that communities in very remote locations may not have as much access to emergency medical care as those in more populated areas. If you or your loved ones are healthy and active, this may not matter as much. For those who need extra assistance with day to day living, this may be an issue.

When considering the location, you should take visiting hours into account as well. If you choose a location that requires a longer driving time and are limited to visiting after work, school or other activities you may find your ability to visit very limited.

Type of Care Offered
Every individual will have their own unique living requirements based on what they can and cannot do for themselves. While many seniors may not require complete nursing care, there may be day to day activities that they require assistance with like housekeeping, cooking, bathing, taking medications, etc.

Knowing that the facility has properly trained staff is just as important as knowing it has the right equipment to provide whatever level of care you or loved one needs. Even if they are currently in good health, there may come a time when more care is needed and you can rest easy knowing the facility is fully capable of providing the care and attention that will be needed.

Available Amenities and Activities
Most people look forward to their retirement years, but most do not realize life can become quite boring if there is nothing interesting to do. A good assisted living community ensures that there are always plenty of activities to keep seniors active and engaged.

Spend some time reviewing the activities and amenities offered by the facility. There should be a mix of social, physical and spiritual activities to keep them active both mentally and physically. Activities and amenities will vary from place to place, so ask yourself what is important to you or your loved one. Do you or your loved one like to garden, hike, do yoga or attend church and social gatherings? The facility you choose should accommodate the activities that are important to you.

Cleanliness
A good assisted living community cares about their reputation and how they present themselves to their residents. When touring a facility that you are considering, take note of how clean things are. Are the floors dirty or is there a layer of dust everywhere? Are there unpleasant odors or heavy perfume smells masking odors? These are easily identifiable indicators that there is subpar management at the facility.

If these issues with cleanliness are that obvious, imagine what you can’t see! While a pristine facility shouldn’t be the full deciding factor in your final decision, a dirty unkempt facility should definitely raise a red flag.

Safety and Security
It is an unfortunate fact that as we age, we become more prone to injuries. When touring the facility, ensure that safety measures are in place like non-slip flooring and handrails. The facility should also have security measures in place to not only prevent unsavory characters from getting in, but to also keep those with Alzheimer’s or dementia from getting out. Moving into a new community can be stressful for everyone, and even more so for seniors with memory issues because they can easily become confused or lost.

At Jurney’s Assisted Living, we believe that our community is truly special. From the outdoor exercise walkways to the cozy private rooms, everything is planned to create a homelike setting for our residents and their families. Our facility was designed with comfort and convenience in mind in the living areas located throughout the community, the spacious activity areas and the inviting dining room. Once you visit, you’ll recognize the caring staff and features that enhance the quality of life for your loved one.

We provide a wide variety of individualized personal care needs. We help seniors who need assistance with their activities of daily living, medication management support, and supervision in our around the clock Assisted Living community. Contact us today. We are here to answer any questions you may have.