Looking for an assisted living facility for a loved one?
One of the first things you’re going to notice is that there are so many of them popping up all across the country.
There are approximately 16,000 assisted living facilities in the U.S. today. And that number is expected to rise dramatically in the coming years as the country’s elderly population increases. By 2030, about 20 percent of the population will be 65 or older.
As a result of this, it could be challenging to find an assisted living facility for your parent, spouse, or close friend. But it won’t be impossible. You just need to know what to look for when narrowing down your search.
Here are 9 qualities that you and your loved one will want from an assisted living facility.
1. Convenient Location
Assuming you’re going to be visiting your loved one early and often once they start living in an assisted living facility, you don’t want the facility to be too far from where you live.
The great news is that, because so many new assisted living facilities are opening these days, you can likely find at least a few right in your city or town. Try not to choose a facility that’s situated in a place you won’t be able to get to within 30 minutes or so.
2. Friendly Staff
Both you and your loved one are going to interact with the staff at an assisted living facility on a regular basis. So make sure the staff is friendly, welcoming, and respectful at all times.
The last thing you want to do is leave your loved one in the care of a staff that isn’t going to cater to their every need.
3. Happy Residents
In addition to finding a facility that has a friendly staff, you also want to find one that has happy residents living in it. Your loved one won’t like living at a facility much if everyone is always miserable.
Once you start to seriously consider one particular facility, ask the facility director to allow you and your loved one to speak to some residents about their experiences. This might just be the best way to learn about everything a facility has to offer.
4. Clean Living Quarters
As you tour different assisted living facilities in your area, keep an eye out for how clean each facility is. You don’t want to send your loved one to a place that doesn’t make cleanliness a priority.
Keep an eye out for the size of the rooms at an assisted living facility as well. Your loved one should feel comfortable with their room and have more than enough space to stretch out and store all their belongings.
5. Personalized Services
Those who live in assisted living facilities all have different needs.
Some people in the facilities have trouble with mobility, while others have memory-related issues due to Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions.
Therefore, the assisted living facility you choose should not take a one-size-fits-all approach as far as providing quality care is concerned. They should personalize their services to meet the individual needs of each person living in the facility.
6. Ample Amenities
For the most part, your loved one is going to spend the majority of their time in their new assisted living facility. So the facility needs to offer them all the amenities they’ll need to live a normal life.
Some of the amenities offered in a facility should include:
- Gym
- Hair salon/Barbershop
- Library
- Worship room
- And more
The facility should also be located near major shopping areas. That way, if your loved one ever needs anything, they won’t have to travel all the way across the city or town to get it.
7. Nutritious Food
What is your loved one going to be able to eat when they’re living in the assisted living facility?
During a tour of a facility, check out the cafeteria to see what’s available. There should be a wide selection of healthy options that will allow your loved one to get the nutrition they need.
And remember: There’s a good chance that you will be eating at the facility yourself on a number of occasions every month. See if they have food that you’re going to want to eat when you stop by for a visit.
8. Round-the-Clock Security
Security is an often overlooked aspect at most assisted living facilities. Those who run the facilities spend so much time focused on providing care that they allow for security concerns to fall by the wayside.
Inquire about the security measures that are in place at the different assisted living facilities you visit. Each facility should have security guards and security alarms to protect the people living in them.
Inquire about visiting hours as well. Make sure they’re convenient for you and will allow you to spend time with your loved one whenever you want.
9. Affordable Price
Assisted living facilities range in price. You can find facilities that cost as little as $1,000 per month or as much as $5,000 per month or more.
You shouldn’t necessarily base your entire assisted living facility decision on price alone. But depending on your budget, you will at least want to consider what you can afford.
Find a facility that checks all the boxes listed here while also offering a price that fits within what you’re able to pay. That’ll ensure your loved one is happy and healthy while living in the facility you both choose.
Select the Best Assisted Living Facility for Your Loved One Today
Whatever you do, don’t just find the closest assisted living facility to your home and send your loved one to live there.
Touring different facilities and picking the right one is a big decision. Take your time and search around for a facility that has all the right qualities. You’ll be glad you did in the end when your loved one loves where they live.
Check out our blog for more information on our facility and all it could offer to you and your loved one.
