Choosing the Best Option: Assisted Care Living

 

 

Did you know that the average cost of assisted living in the United States is $4,300?

This is no small amount. No matter who in your life needs assisted care living, you want to make the best decision. With the number of senior living facilities in the United States, though (30,000, to be exact), you’ll need to narrow down your options.

Keep reading for tips on choosing the best senior living community.

Check the Staff’s Credentials

When looking into assisted care living, check the staff’s credentials. Oftentimes, you’ll be able to find this information on the facility’s website.

Here are some things to look out for:

• the ratio of staff to residents
• the number of registered and vocational nurses on staff at all times
• the number of staff members who can administer medication
• the staff turnover rate
• whether staff needs to pass background checks
• whether staff assists with daily activities like dressing and eating

When you visit the senior care living facility, ask if they need an audit performed. If so, how often? What do they need to pass this audit?

Observe Interpersonal Skills

You want your loved one to be as comfortable as possible. Other than credentials, make sure the staff has a friendly and professional demeanor.

Your loved one is going to spend every day with this team of people. Do they treat residents with patience and respect? Do they listen to their needs? If possible, take note of how the staff treats residents.

Know Different Kinds of Assisted Care Living

Not all senior care communities were designed the same. Some facilities give residents different amounts of autonomy and freedom, depending on their individual needs.

There are also facilities that cater to the memory care of their residents. Esprit Living Care in Omaha has options for memory care and assisted living. Click here to learn more.

Learn About Activities and Entertainment

Choosing an assisted living facility isn’t just about having your loved ones’ daily needs met. It’s about knowing they still get to enjoy their lives.

Check their website or ask in person about the kind of activities there are for residents. Are there opportunities for them to leave the senior living community and enjoy an outing?

Talk with your loved ones about their interests. What kind of activities would they most enjoy? Gardening? Arts and crafts? Games?

You also don’t want to underestimate the importance of outdoor living space. Studies show that seniors who spend an hour outside will find a twenty percent increase in these areas:

• attention span
• memory
• creativity

The Best Assisted Care Living Options

Choosing between all your assisted care living options can be overwhelming and stressful. We want our loved ones to be cared for and happy with the place we’ve chosen.

Hopefully, these tips will give you a good place to start, so you feel comfortable while visiting senior care centers. Feel free to keep browsing our site for more lifestyle tips!