Selecting an assisted living facility should not be about price alone but how quality their care is. To select the right assisted living facility, follow these guidelines.
You should inquire about nutritional services. The best assisted living facilities are in a position to handle its resident’s nutritional and food requirements. You want your aging person to meet his/her dietary requirements all the time. When consulting with the management, you should check if a facility is equipped to provide for the nutritional needs of its residents and if they permit special dietary requests. You should ask which person prepares and plans meals and how frequent food is served. Also, ask if food is served in a common dining area since it is important that a facility encourages social dining. If possible, ask the residents if they like the food and if they are encouraged to dine with others.
You should check communication channels. One of the vital things to check when choosing an assisted living facility is the communication between you and its staff. You want a facility that does not hesitate to notify you of your loved one’s condition and any changes in their mental and physical health. Do not settle for a facility before determining whether or not the management urges caregivers and the family of the residents to maintain communication and transparency. In addition, ask who makes decisions as well as who to contact in case you have queries concerning medical care emergencies and other concerns.
Check safety. Safety features include security and health-related issues. You should ensure that hallways have handrails and bathrooms have anti-slip mats, accessible tubs, and showers and grab bars. On top of having stairs, a facility should have walkways and ramps. Additionally, check the kind of medical care a facility has. Is there a licensed nurse on-site round the clock? Do workers reduce during the night and in what way does this influence resident care? Is medication stored in the resident’s room or a central location? Do residents call during emergencies or the facility does it on their behalf?
You need to take staff friendliness into account. When you are visiting, observe workers interacting with residents. Are they civil and helpful? Do they give ear to residents? How many employees are involved in the day-to-day life of a resident? In what manner can you describe the workers at the facility? Since the employees will be intimately involved in the life of your loved one, it is imperative to ascertain that you are satisfied with the manner in which residents are handled.