When the time comes where you realize that your senior parent is ready to move into an assisted living community, it can be difficult to know which one you can trust. Your loved one provided you security, shelter, and kept you safe as you were growing up. Now, it’s time for you to return the favor and choosing an assisted living service that you can trust can be frightening. Below are some tips that can help you through the process.
Determine if Assisted Care is Appropriate
The first thing you need to determine is if your senior mom or dad is able to remain living at home. If they require only a little assistance and don't want to move from their home, a better option might be home care. However, if they are beginning to decline in how they function, a community home could be a better option.
Tour Senior Communities
You can get a sense of an assisted care home by looking at brochures and photographs, but scheduling an in-person tour will help you really narrow down which one is best for your loved one. You might want to conduct an unannounced follow-up tour to get a real sense of how your parent will be living. Things that you can do to gain trust include:
- Touring the community a few times.
- Getting to know staff members.
- Requesting a meeting with the executive director.
- Trusting your own instincts.
Your tour can give you a chance to see the available apartments and common areas. Take in all the decor and surroundings to see if they suit your parent's preferences, however, keep in mind that fancy furniture and sparkling chandeliers is not an indication of good care.
Observe Staff Interaction
Check out how well the staff interacts with the residents. Are they respectful and friendly? Do they seem truly interested in the residents? Find out who will be in charge of your loved one's care plan and how the community plans on accommodating their present and future needs.
When it comes time to make a decision, make sure that everyone in your family trusts the assisted living home and feels comfortable with your choice. You should even check the background of the community through your state's licensing agency. Only when you feel completely confident that you can trust the community, you will have peace of mind when moving in your loved one.
Eskaton’s assisted living lodges provide an enriched lifestyle and enhanced quality of living. Residents enjoy personal services and support from our professional caregivers. Contact an Eskaton Community for a tour today.
