One of the biggest concerns adult children have when their parents move into assisted living is the level of care they will receive. You are in good company if you are concerned about how to ensure your parents consistently get the help they need in assisted living. You cannot be with your parents 24/7 so you are putting trust in the staff at the community to provide your parents with appropriate care. There are some steps you can take to maximize the likelihood that your parents will get the help they need. Start by carefully choosing a community based on as many elements as possible. Once your parents make the move, stay on top of their care by visiting as you are able, and keeping the lines of communication open.
Carefully choose an assisted living community
Choosing an assisted living community for your parents is not a process that should be rushed. Take your time and find as many sources for reliable information as you can. Look at rankings from trusted sources, read reviews from current residents, become familiar with the community’s website, and schedule an in-person visit. All of these elements when considered together can give you a good picture of the type of care your parents will receive.
Visit as you are able
Visiting your parents once they are in an assisted living community can help you observe the type of care they receive. Seeing your parents interact with the staff may also ease your concerns so you are not constantly worried about their wellbeing. Even if you live far away, it is worth at least one trip to see your parents in their new environment. It can go a long way toward providing you with peace of mind about their care.
Keep the lines of communication open
Sometimes aging adults will keep quiet about concerns in an effort to spare the ones they love. Be sure and let your parents know that you want to hear about any and all concerns they have in assisted living. Oftentimes issues can be fixed quickly and easily when they are addressed in a timely manner. If your parents view you as their advocate they will be much more likely to speak up if issues arise.
You love your parents and want them to consistently receive high quality help when they are in assisted living. You will never have peace about them being in assisted living if you are constantly concerned about the level of care they are receiving. The good news is that there are a number of high quality communities to choose from. You can find a listing of top-notch assisted living communities in Northern California here.