Understanding the Process of Choosing an Assisted Living Facility
Studies show that about 93.5% of seniors and older adults live in senior-focused communities. A large amount of these citizens also live in assisted living homes and communities.
Knowing what you're looking for is crucial if you're looking for the right option for your senior. How can you be sure an assisted living facility will understand senior care needs and conditions?
Your best tool is knowledge. Read on to learn more about assisted living communities and how to pick the best ones. We'll also explore some of the best ways to find a local community.
Factors to Consider
Picking your assisted living community is a deeply personal choice. What matters the most to you may not be what matters the most to another person. As such, it makes it difficult to objectively say what makes a community "good."
You may place more importance on the community's location, while others focus solely on cost. Here are some of the factors for you to consider.
Location
The location of an assisted living community is crucial for many families. If a community is too far, visitation can be more difficult or outright impossible.
Studies show that only around half of all residents receive at least one visitor. For many seniors, this can feel alienating and depressing. Find a location that won't make it too tough for family and loved ones to visit.
Staff
The staff at an assisted living community is a vital factor for anyone and will often be the most important quality. The staff are the people who will be caring for your senior, from chefs and housekeepers to professionals who understand senior medical conditions such as Alzheimer's and other memory-related issues.
The best way to gauge the staff is to visit the community yourself. Choosing an assisted living community is an easier task when you've visited and spoken with the people you're leaving your loved one in the hands of.
Another great way is to look into online reviews. Read through some poor reviews to see what bad experiences people have had. Don't let one bad review throw you off, but if you see dozens of reviews that all say the staff is lackluster, there's likely merit to the complaint.
Care
What's the difference between a nursing home, senior living home, retirement home, and assisted living community? The answer usually lies in the level of care that the community members receive.
For example, retirement homes and senior living communities are usually full of spryer, healthy seniors who don't want to live alone. They may have some medical issues that make living in a community safer, but they are otherwise autonomous.
Nursing homes are typically on the opposite end of that spectrum. Nursing home occupants often need full care, though each member's exact care varies from person to person.
In many cases, an assisted living community is in between these two. Occupants often require some care but are otherwise autonomous and healthy. It's a common living arrangement for people who need assistance but don't have severe health conditions requiring constant supervision from a medical specialist.
Look into what sort of assisted living community healthcare support you have available to you in the community of your choice. If they don't have professionals who can offer the level of care your loved one needs, you should consider looking for other arrangements.
Size
Is your loved one intimidated by the thought of living in a community with hundreds of other members? Perhaps, on the other hand, they don't want to live in a home with just a few dozen.
Smaller living communities are able to provide more direct, personal care because they do not have as many residents. They may also have better funding because they do not have as high of expenses, though this is determined on a case-by-case basis.
On the other hand, larger living communities can sometimes provide a more lively, upbeat environment. When seniors are hesitant to live in a home, being surrounded by so many of their peers can help.
You should discuss with your loved one how large of a community they want. Doing so can help ensure that as many of their needs as possible are met.
Cost and Services
Finally, the cost of a home can make or break many choices. Assisted living communities aren't always cheap, and while many residents have savings accounts that can cover or alleviate costs, this isn't always the case.
Consider what sort of budget you and your loved one have for the living community. You should also think of what sort of assisted living community amenities you're receiving for those costs.
Ways to Find Your Community
Now that you have a better idea of what to look for, where can you find your community?
You should start by searching by location. Some areas may not have an assisted living community, which can force a relocation. Nothing is worse than finding the ideal community just to realize it's hours away!
Second, focus on the costs of the assisted living community. It is crucial to ensure that the community is within your budget.
To find these homes, consider speaking to friends and family members who may have already experienced your situation. You should also look for online reviews and experiences to see what assisted living community they would recommend.
Here in Burlington, we're happy to provide some of the best living arrangements in Iowa. You can explore our senior living options to see how we can meet the needs of you and your loved one.
Choosing an Assisted Living Facility
Choosing an assisted living facility is an important and personal task. To help narrow your search, weigh what factors are most important to you and your loved one.
Addington Place of Burlington is proud to provide a rich community and loving, caring staff. We offer veterans of the United States Armed Forces easier access to veteran benefits through Patriot Angels, as well as a one-time $1,000 reduction of your second month's rent. Contact us today to see how we can help you improve your quality of life.