When looking for an assisted living facility for seniors, most people pay attention to factors such as quality of care and services and amenities available. While these are essential things to consider, they aren't the only ones. You need to find a facility that your loved one will love and want to be in. Remember, they will spend the rest of their days there; thus, they need to feel comfortable at home. As you look around, here are a few things that you should look for in prospective elderly care facilities.
Proximity to Other Family Members
The last thing you want is for your elderly loved one to feel alone. Choosing a facility far away from other family members can be depressing for seniors. Thus, if possible, find assisted living facilities in your area or within a reasonable distance from the senior's closest loved ones. This allows family members to visit often, and it can make an individual feel more at ease. Your loved one will also be able to adapt to the new living arrangement.
Freedom and Restrictions in the Facility
If someone is used to having certain freedoms, admitting them in a facility with restrictions can affect their quality of life. Thus, find a care facility that offers the privileges your loved one enjoys. Do they like to live alone, or would they prefer to have a roommate? Would they want to decorate their room? Do they get shared or private bathrooms? Does the facility allow pets? Create a checklist for all the things your loved one wants and choose a facility that meets the specific needs.
Variety of Social Activities and Hobbies
Some seniors love to sit all day and play board games. Other love to knit and drink herbal tea. Others prefer to be outdoors playing games. Moving into an assisted living facility should not cause a dramatic change in a senior's life. They should be able to engage in social activities that they enjoy. Therefore, your chosen facility should provide or allow the activities your loved one loves. These include hobbies such as arts and crafts, gardening, swimming, working out, and much more.
Suitable Culture and Environment
Before choosing an elderly care service, think about the culture and environment. Is it a place your loved one would want to be for the foreseeable future? Will your loved feel at home, or will they feel like they've been uprooted from one culture and placed into another? How does the staff relate with the seniors? If possible, visit the facility with your loved one and let them have a feel of the space before making a choice.
Assisted living isn't just about getting quality care. It's also about being in an environment that one truly loves. Consider the above issues when looking for elderly care options.
Share13 August 2020
My husband and I recently moved his mother to an assisted living facility. My name is Audrey Martin, and I am going to share our experience with you. My mother-in-law is eighty-two years old. She has been living on her own for twelve years since her husband passed away. My husband, David, is her only child. That left us in charge of making this decision for her since she has declined to the point of not being able to make sound decisions on her own. I’m not going to tell you that it’s been easy, but I will say that it can be done. I hope that what I’m about to share proves to be helpful to you should the time come that you are the one moving a loved one to an assisted living facility. Thanks for stopping by!