The right questions to ask
What is assisted living?
Assisted living is a residential option for older adults who need help with some of the activities of daily living — things like cooking meals, getting to the bathroom in the middle of the night, keeping house and traveling to appointments. An assisted living home may be a good choice if your loved one needs more personal care services than they can get at home or in an independent living or retirement community, but they don’t need the round-the-clock medical care and supervision of a nursing home.
Like many important responsibilities we have in life, the first time you have to tackle them can be confusing and stressful. Helping a loved one choose an assisted living home is one of those.
These are the most important factors to consider when making this decision.
People are more important than amenities
There is a huge variation among assisted living homes and communities. While this can make the process of choosing seem daunting, the plus side is that you have a good chance of finding one that is perfectly suited to your, and your loved one’s, preferences and needs.
As you start your search, try not to get overwhelmed by all the options. Remember, amenities matter much less than the residents and staff.
It’s the people that truly make any place, including an assisted living community, a home.
Ask about staffing patterns
To feel confident that your loved one will be well taken care of, it’s important to ask questions about the staffing levels and workload at an assisted living comunity.
For example:
How many staff members are actually involved in residents’ care?
How many people are working at any one time?
What are their duties during those times — do they have time to interact with residents?
Are there registered nurses on site?
How do staffing patterns differ at night?
What happens when a staff member is sick or otherwise unable to be at work — is there enough coverage?
What to look for in the staff
Do they have time to speak with you or does it feel rushed?
Do they appear genuinely friendly and interested in you?
Do they interact warmly with current residents? Or do they seem stressed or overwhelmed?
How do they handle emergencies?
What to look for in the residents
Do they appear happy?
Do they enjoy interacting with one another?
Do they seem like people you’d enjoy getting to know?
Are there hobbies or groups on site that look interesting?
What to look for in the community
Do the different areas seem clean and fresh?
How often is housekeeping provided for residents’ rooms?
Does the environment seem safe and secure? Are the bathrooms easily accessible and have grab bars? How do residents contact staff in an emergency?
How is the food? Sample a meal and ask about menu options.
Other things to consider
The most important factor when choosing an assisted living community is that it feels friendly, safe, and comfortable to you. It should be clean and well maintained.
The community you’ll be happiest with, and your loved one will feel most at home and secure at, won’t necessarily be the most fancy or expensive.
The bottom line is that the right place for you is the community where you and your loved one will feel most at home.
Know the right questions to ask
We know this is a difficult decision to make. Download our free guide
Choosing An Assisted Living Community to help you focus on what’s important.