As family members, parents, and loved one’s age, finding quality care and a comfortable environment for them is often a top priority. There are many factors to keep in mind as you search for the perfect place, but that does not mean it has to be a difficult task. Ensuring that loved ones are receiving the best care and that they feel at home is the most important aspect of the process.
Tips for Searching for a Quality Assisted Living Community
To begin the process of searching for a quality assisted living community, decide what is needed and expected from the community. For example, if your loved one is disabled or in need of specialized assistance, take the time to write out exactly what is needed. Creating lists is a great way to familiarize yourself with exactly what is necessary for a comfortable living environment.
Once you have determined exactly what is expected from the assisted living community, determine your ideal price range. Creating a budget for monthly expenses and comparing costs of various communities will aid in the budgeting process.
After the “on paper” preparation has been completed, it is time to view and tour various communities and potential new homes. When the touring and visiting process begins, pay close attention to the curb appeal, design, and cleanliness of the location. Ensure that the landscaping is well-kept as this symbolizes cleanliness and regular maintenance. Next, observe the interior cleanliness to ensure that your loved one will be living in a clean and safe environment.
While cleanliness is very important, it is also vital to take note of the safety precautions and accommodations that are put into place. Accessibility is a major part of assisted living, so keep your eye out for grab bars, handrails, ramps, elevators, stair-lifts, and zero-threshold showers as you tour. It is also a good idea to pay attention to the security system of the community and whether or not it has an emergency call system in place.
Everyone wants their loved ones to be comfortable and well taken care of, but many also want their loved ones to be engaged and participate in socialization and fun activities. Take note of the gathering areas such as activity rooms, lounges, gyms, and dining areas to get a better idea of what takes place inside of the community. Other services and amenities to look for include game rooms, chapels, bank branch extensions, fully-equipped fitness centers, physical therapy centers, spas or salons, and bars.
Keep in mind that this location will be the new home of your loved ones, so it is important to look out for things that will make them feel at home and things that they can enjoy regularly. This should pose no challenge with assisted living in West Bloomfield Township, MI.
If the senior in question has dietary restrictions such as allergies, intolerances, or specific doctor-ordered meal plans, it is a great idea to speak with the dining staff and upper management to determine whether or not these needs can be met. In addition to this, it is often an option to taste-test the food and experience the dining areas yourself.
Once the amenities, accommodations, and accessibility/safety features have been analyzed, it is time to come up with questions. Creating a list of questions can help keep thoughts organized and also ensure that nothing goes unsaid. Important question topics to bring up include the cost and billing policies, additional fees, health care, and overall support, staff duties, potential programs to help cover the cost, health assessments, medical management policies, health-care visits, and medical emergencies. Knowing answers to these types of questions will not only provide peace of mind for the family, but will also ensure that the community truly cares about the residents.
Finding More Information
Next, it is time to ask around and read into various places. Once it has been determined that everything “sounds and looks good,” it is important to verify this information. Asking others that have gone through the same process can reveal new information, tips, and other advice. Try asking colleagues, clergy members, extended family, and friends that have endured this same process to learn more about various communities and what they offer.
Researching online is another great way to learn more information about facilities. Despite the fact that you might have already talked to management and viewed the location, it is a great idea to view their website and social media pages to see it for yourself. Community websites often offer specific details in regards to programs, care plans, and exactly what they offer. You can also find information about policies on websites. Social media can allow you to view photos of the residents and the community in action as you will likely see the cuisine, activities, and trips to town in photos.
Another vital step in the process of choosing an assisted living community for your loved one is a “final visit.” Before committing to anything or signing any paperwork, it is a great idea to pay the community a visit on their “off time,” or the time in which senior management is not on-site such as evenings or weekends. This will provide an opportunity to see how the staff engages and interacts with the residents and how the residents and community are being treated while management is away.
Finally, once a decision has been made and you believe that you have found the perfect community for your loved one, it is time to take a look at legal paperwork and contracts. Hiring or consulting with a professional attorney about legal bindings, financial obligations, and general contracts can help relieve the stress and hassle that comes with lengthy complicated contracts.
What Exactly is Assisted Living?
Assisted living is a valuable and outstanding service to ensure that loved ones are cared for in their old age. Often, elders reach a point in their life in which they are no longer fully independent. When this happens, it might become difficult to perform daily tasks that were once no hassle.
Assisted living offers assistance for these types of issues. In senior living communities, it is not unlikely that your loved one will be assisted in the process of dressing and undressing, bathing, getting to the bathroom, eating their meals, and remembering their medication. Assisted living facilities are equipped with skilled and kind staff that works 24/7 to ensure each resident’s needs are met and exceeded.
Time to Begin Your Search
After taking into consideration what goes into finding the perfect community, it is likely that you feel more than ready to begin your search. Paying close attention to the safety and maintenance of a location as well as asking important key questions about cost and policies is only a small portion of the overall process. It is equally important to make sure each community is providing adequate activities and socialization for each resident, and more than anything else, that each resident is happy and feels at home.
About Us
At Townehall Place, we offer an easily accessible location to ensure that each resident can stay connected with family, friends, and everything that they love about the surrounding communities. Our historic location carries some of the richest history of West Bloomfield and works daily to provide luxurious services and amenities as well as personalized support and nurturing care to each of our residents. We hope that you can call this beautiful township home and join our luxurious community.
