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Assisted living services are an excellent option for those who want to maintain their independence while having the support they need. The services can often take a lot of pressure off families and also help those who need the support have a better quality of life.
However, that being said, the prospect of yourself or a loved one needing to go into assisted living can be really daunting. Not only is it a huge change for everyone involved, but choosing the right place can really put on the pressure. There are plenty of things to consider when choosing the right assisted living facility, from costs to care, so read this piece to find out more about how you can make the right choice!
What is Assisted Living Like?
What assisted living might be like definitely varies, as do the services, locations, and experiences of residents. As a general rule of thumb, assisted living is usually part of a larger care center, nursing complex, or retirement homes. Depending on what the resident requires will depend on what type of assisted living they will be part of. Some will have their own bathrooms and kitchens, or a roommate with an apartment, whereas others might have their own room and use common spaces to meet up with other residents. Whichever is the right choice for you and your loved one, it is important to note that all of the options should be specifically designed to help people live as independently as possible and maintain a good quality of life.
What Facilities Do You Need?
When it comes to choosing an assisted living facility, the services that will be required will vary for everyone. Some might require one-on-one care, while others might require as much independence as is safe.
Most assisted living services or homes will offer similar facilities, but if some are non-negotiable or more important than others, then it would be wise to narrow down your search with those first, along with the location in which the person will be settled in.
These facilities could include 24/7 care, daily wellness activities, or specific centers for specialist needs – whatever it is that will make the experience the best one. It would also be worth asking if companies have any solid plans to introduce new services to their brand and what changes have been made over the years to keep up with demands and make their assisted living company better than other choices.
Check the Reviews
In this day and age, we are able to check the reviews on almost everything. Reviews will often give an honest reflection on family’s experiences within different assisted living facilities, which will help you make informed decisions and be aware of anything that might not be up to standard or expected.
Go and visit the property yourself, and with the potential tenant if that is not you, to allow you to get a feel of the place. It needs to feel comfortable and safe, and there should be someone there to answer any questions you might have. Courtyard Fountains, which offer assisted living Gresham Oregon, allow you to book a tour online, either virtually or in person, and also have a community section that shares feedback of experiences.
It is also worth looking on the internet and getting involved with online communities who are either going through the same experience as you right now or have already had it, so they are able to shed light on what to look out for and any other helpful tips you might need.
Compare Costs
Assisted living and care is not cheap, and assisted living costs will have an impact on where you will be able to afford and what is on offer. Make sure to compare costs from different places with what you are being offered and prioritize accordingly. You could also make negotiations to get the best deal for you and not sign anything until you are sure that your chosen place is definitely the right one. It is also important that you understand any contract you are signing and what the terms and conditions will mean for you or your loved one.
Ask Questions
When wanting to sign any contract or purchase something, especially when it is costly, we like to ask questions to make sure what we are considering is the right choice. An expensive product is one thing, but the pursuit of finding living accommodation that is suitable for yourself or a loved one comes with much more importance. Asking any and all questions you can think of should help put your mind at ease and help you decide whether the home or services are the right choice.
Some examples of these questions could be;
- What is the staff to resident ratio? This is important to determine what kind of care will be available
- What trainings or qualifications do the staff have? You will want to know that you or your loved ones are in the best hands possible.
- What is the staff turnover rate? Staff that are happy and treated well will often stay put in their careers or jobs, and while a high turnover rate can be indicative of an unhappy workplace. It also means the same friendly faces might not be around to build up relationships with its residents.
Other questions to ask might include inquiries about the food, the rooms, the common spaces, what activities are on offer, and if entertainment and outings are provided. All of these questions are important to building up the big picture of what it would be like to be in a specific home or to use a specific service, and if you can chat to family members of residents there too, that is even better, as they are not on the sales team!
Wherever you choose, the most important thing is that the resident is safe and well cared for, so gather as much information as possible before making a decision, and don’t forget to go with your gut either!
