Whether you’re looking for a place for your parent or making plans yourself, there are many things to consider. Here are five things you should focus on when choosing an Assisted Living Facility:
The first thing you should do is visit potential options in person. Talk to staff and residents, attend a meal, or observe the environment to get a feel for what it’s like.
Safety and Security
Safety and security should be a top concern when choosing an assisted living facility. This is particularly true if you are considering moving into a memory care wing or another building area that requires special security measures to prevent accidental harm and theft.
Moreover, finding an access control system that works with your budget and is easy for residents to use is essential. It is also a good idea to consider systems designed with advanced integration, eliminating redundancy.
In addition, facilities that care for medically fragile patients should have fire safety systems installed to protect them and their surroundings. These systems can monitor combustible materials and detect fires in real-time, alerting staff and first responders as soon as possible.
Privacy
If you are looking for an assisted living facility like assisted living facilities Missouri, privacy should be one of your top priorities. Privacy is the right of an individual to avoid unwanted disclosure of information about them.
It is a fundamental human right in some nations and is protected in many international treaties and conventions. This includes the Universal Declaration of Human Rights [61] and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Socialization
Choosing an assisted living facility with a solid social aspect can make a difference in how your loved one feels. It can help prevent loneliness, which is linked to poor health and mental well-being.
Socialization is learning and internalizing social norms, values, beliefs, and behaviors through interaction with family members, teachers, peers, and others. It also involves acquiring new skills and cultural habits.
Socialization has three primary goals: teach impulse control and develop a conscience, prepare people to perform specific social roles and cultivate shared sources of meaning and value. These goals are accomplished naturally as people grow up within a particular culture.
Meal Preparation
You want your loved one to eat nutritious meals with all the necessary nutrients. But this is often a challenge for seniors who need help with cooking or live in a smaller space than they used to.
Choosing an assisted living facility with various dining options is critical to helping your loved one get enough nutrition. Many assisted living facilities to offer three meals a day served in a common dining area, but they may also have supplemental meal packages available.
Visiting the facility and talking with staff members and residents is a good idea. Schedule several visits and ask plenty of questions about the community’s policies.
Transportation
Assisted living facilities are typically equipped with vans and buses to get residents where they need to go. They also offer regularly scheduled transportation for doctor’s appointments, shopping trips, and social outings.
Choosing a suitable facility for your loved one requires careful consideration. You want to find a facility that feels like a home and offers amenities that your loved one enjoys.
You also want to ensure your loved one can access safe and reliable transportation. This can be especially important if your loved one has mobility challenges.
The best way to determine if an assisted living facility provides transportation is to ask for it directly. Some communities charge residents a fee for this service, while others include it in their standard prices.
