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Visiting different facilities can help you find the best senior living option that works for you and your loved one. Many opt for residential care homes due to the home-like setting. This can be much more settling than other options, although the final decision does come down to individual needs.
So, as you will be able to tell, there are many different options to choose from when thinking about assisted living. You’ll want to ensure that your loved one is placed in good hands and that their individual needs are being met, meaning that the best choice depends on the requirements of your senior loved one.
How to find a senior living option that works best for golden ageing
Deciding to place your senior loved one in assisted living is a life-altering decision, and it can take time in research to find a place that suits the senior in question. There are so many different senior living options out there, making it overwhelming and rather difficult to choose the right place. If you find yourself searching how to choose assisted living facilities near you, this article is perfect for you.
You’ll need to consider the personal needs, desires, and lifestyle habits of your senior family member, and how these will fit into the different living arrangement options. How dependent are they? What are their must-haves in daily living? You need to consider this when working out how to find a senior living option that works best for golden ageing.
Assisted living checklist for seniors
When researching assisted living accommodation options, personal needs and preferences should be taken into account. For example, if you are wanting to transfer your loved one to a new home and they require a wheelchair, small communities with wheelchair-friendly accessibility should be prioritized. It’s incredibly significant to make sure needs are met to create a stress-free living experience. Therefore, it might be worth checking off the factors below which are most important to you and/or your loved one.
Dining facilities
Assisted living options usually include dining facilities to ensure that the senior in question is getting the nutrients they need to maintain a healthy, balanced diet. This is crucial to help immune systems fight pathogens, keep elderly people energized, and prevent certain medical conditions triggered by a deficiency in vitamins and minerals. So, you need to consider whether your options can cater to dietary needs such as gluten-free, vegetarian, and low-sodium meals. Maybe consider what the dining set-up is like – does the assisted living option have communal dining areas where seniors can socialize with each other? People may have varying preferences in this area.
Staff
Chat to the accommodation’s staff to get a feel for their friendliness. Are they helpful and prioritize the needs of their residents? Have they been background-checked? Do they know how to act in emergencies? These are all important questions to ask when considering what option to go for. After all, you are placing the responsibility of your elderly loved one in this staff team’s hands.
Community life
Within assisted living options, you should research what type of community you can expect to embrace in each location. Think about what type of social activities are offered, if any, and how residents can get involved. Some assisted living communities offer a great variety of clubs that could appeal to those wanting to make more friends.
Maintenance services
Concerning assisted living, normally all maintenance services are taken care of by the caregiver, but it’s worth checking what’s actually included in this bill. You’ll want to make sure all the essentials are covered, such as laundry, meals, and cleaning. Furthermore, finding out policies on rarer issues like those involved in plumbing and electrics is also worth knowing if an emergency happens to occur.
Transportation
Whilst many seniors requiring assisted living won’t drive, those with a fair amount of independence may want to keep their car with them whilst moving into assisted living. If this is the case, consider the parking options offered by the accommodation and any fees you might have to pay. Additionally, consider if transportation is covered by the community for residents traveling to medical appointments, supermarkets, and community trips.
Safety
Alongside happiness, the safety of your senior loved one in assisted living should be the top priority. Ask around different accommodation options to see what their safety protocols are for certain situations. You might expect to see accessibility features to prevent falls, emergency alert systems, security systems, and a 24-hour service provided by staff in case of emergencies.
Added facilities
Certain facilities may not be considered necessities, but having access to a library, pool, gym, hairdressers, games room, and computer room can offer nice added touches that make seniors feel more at home. Consider what your senior loved one likes doing on a day-to-day basis.
Budget
Of course, your budget is perhaps one of the biggest factors in deciding where to place your senior loved one when it comes to assisted living. You need to assess what you can actually afford before jumping to your preferred option straight away. Be sure to ask staff if there are any additional costs to avoid any nasty surprises later down the line, as well as any special deal offerings that could ease the burden on your bank account.
Hopefully, these considerations will help you discover the right place for you and your senior loved one. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have and be sure to get a feel for each place before making a final decision.
Recommended Senior Living Locations:
- Blue Skies of Tri-city – Assisted living
3218 Mira Mesa Ave, Oceanside, CA 92056, United States - Blue Skies of Temecula – Assisted Living
45410 Bayberry Pl, Temecula, CA 92592, United States - Blue Skies of San Marcos – Assisted Living
1119 Via Vera Cruz, San Marcos, CA 92078, United States - Blue Skies of Oceanside – Assisted Living
322 Keyport St, Oceanside, CA 92057, United States - Blue Skies of Laguna Niguel – Assisted Living
25437 Via Estudio, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677, United States - Blue Skies of Laguna Hills – Assisted Living
25811 Tree Top Rd, Laguna Hills, CA 92653, United States
