Before you start looking for a senior assisted living home, there are a few prerequisites that should be discussed and made:
First, there must be a family consensus that your elderly loved one needs an assisted living home rather than designating a family caregiver or a home care agency to take care of their ever growing needs. Adult family homes can be an option but it nurses about seven adults in a regular house within a residential neighborhood. This can be quite expensive considering the number and attention one could get. On the other hand, assisted living homes nurse more than seven adults in a home within a residential neighborhood. This option is relatively affordable and more socially-entertaining considering the number of people and the size of the area.
Second, the physical and social needs and as well as other necessary help must be carefully identified and enumerated. How far does your elder cope with his or her typical activities of daily living (ADL)?
Third, all medical and financial considerations are ironed out. What are his or her sicknesses? How can insurance help out? Or should family members contribute to all the needs and wants of their ailing parent or grandparent?
And fourth, all the necessary information on the nearest senior assisted living homes in the area are carefully identified and mapped out. Search the internet or an address book where all senior assisted living homes are listed. Primarily consider the ones that are nearest to your home.
When all the aforementioned concerns are answered for, then there is a need to address the following aspects in selecting an assisted living home:
Costs and Finances. What are the basic room, board, and service rates? What are the available services and how much would it cost? How are payment made? Is there a refund policy and how is this done? Is there any rate increase policy and how much would it cost? Do they accept health insurance? If there is a need for additional services, how much would it cost?
Administration and Staff. How long has the current administration been in place? Is there enough staff number to meet the needs of your elder as well as other elders too? Are there some level of nursing care provided (RN, LPN, Nursing Assistant)? How professional are the staff members? How do they treat their elderly with special care, respect, and dignity? How proficient is the staff in English or other particular preferred language?
Services and Activities. What type of personal care is being administered on a daily basis? What other senior assisted living home activities are in place? Are there religious services available? When are visitors allowed? Are there transportation services available?
Surroundings. Is the home in close proximity to friends and family? Is the surroundings quiet and peaceful day and night? Does the place exude a homey atmosphere or hospital-like environment? Is the home within walking distance of different amenities? Is there a garden or park to sit, walk, and move about and get some sunshine?
Physical Setting. Is the floor plan easy to remember? Can the hallways, doorways, and rooms easily accommodate wheelchairs and walkers? Is the area clean, safe, and adequate for the elderly needs? Is there a good heating and cooling facility? Are the shelves and cupboards within reach? Can the common areas (kitchens, activity rooms, toilet, dining room, and grounds) be easily accessed and be freely used? Is there a personal phone line and internet access? Are the personal valuables and other effects easily secured locked?
Food. Can the home facilitate the food specifications of your loved one? Can the kitchen be used for personal cooking? Are there snacks available? Are meal times flexible? Can special foods be requested?
Other Residents. Are present residents sociable and happy with their current environment? Do they speak favorably of the place? Are there resident group meetings? Are there residents with history of extreme or violent behavior? How does the staff handle such inevitable instances?
If majority of these aspects are not favorably answered, then there is a need to find another assisted living home that is still within close proximity to the family. Do not get tired to trying out other homes. Use trial and error in your selection process. Remember that the future of your senior citizen depends on it. Their demands for happiness, love, and support that a family cannot always give out must be somehow directly or indirectly be felt in their new home for the remaining days of their lives.
Once majority of these aspects are addressed in your third, fourth, or even fifth home option, condition the psychological and social needs of your elder before moving out of the family home. Talk to your parent or grandparent. Tell them that you will always visit them. And most importantly, tell them that you love them and that you are doing everything for the best. The quest for a senior assisted living home will never be successful without an open mind and heart from your ailing loved one.
www.seniorguideusa.com is a leading comprehensive resource directory for seniors right across the USA, providing information about homes, health, services and leisure activities. Leigh St John is the Executive Director and welcomes your inquiries. Simply visit the site for more information.
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