Health & Fitness

5 Things to Look for in Assisted Living Retirement Homes

Are you concerned about a loved one living alone and lacking the capabilities to adequately care for themselves? Or maybe you just want peace of mind that you or a loved one is in a safe place with the best care possible.

If you’re thinking about assisted living senior care, it can be an overwhelming and difficult decision to make. Choosing the right facility is crucial. But where do you start?

Here are five things to consider when choosing assisted living retirement homes.

1. Location & Proximity

How often are you and your family members planning on visiting your relative in the senior retirement home? Hopefully, you’ll be able to visit quite often, but this will very much depend on the location of the facility.

Choosing a remote facility will not only make it difficult for people to visit, but there’s probably not much for the residents to do around the area either.

Try to find somewhere with a good location in proximity close enough to you and other potential visitors. Consider the state laws which may affect the medical services that the facility can offer.

Check out findcontinuingcare.com to find senior retirement centers near you. 

2. What Care Does Your Loved One Need?

Different assisted living communities offer different types of care. Is your relative healthy and somewhat fit and just needs some basic assistance or company? Or do they require around the clock, complete care?

Once you’ve determined the needs of the seniors looking for a retirement home, you can start searching for the right one. Ensure that the facility has well-trained, professional staff, and good amenities and equipment.

3. Available Activities

The last thing you want is to chuck your loved one into a senior home where they’ll spend most of the day sitting around. Retired life comes with a lot of free time and it’s best when seniors can fill that time up with physical and mental activities that are fun and interesting.

A good assisted living center will provide tons of activities and amenities to keep the residents active and busy. Look for places that offer gardening, games, church, social events, craft classes, etc.

4. Compassionate & Friendly Staff

Staff should be professional. But it’s also essential that they are welcoming and compassionate. These people will be the main source of companionship for your relative.

Take your time to speak to staff members, nurses, or activity leaders to get a feel for their personalities. Do they display empathy and warmth? Ask questions about why they chose this career and what they enjoy most about it.

5. Safety & Cleanliness

Senior retirement centers should be well maintained and clean. Keep a lookout on your tour of the facility for wear and tear, dirty areas, or unpleasant smells. Cleanliness shows that the facility takes pride in the work they do.

The same goes for safety. A building with serious wear and tear or that shows signs of neglect can pose some hazards. Look for safety standards such as fire extinguishers and emergency evacuation cards.

Exploring Options for Assisted Living Retirement Homes

The most important thing is to take your time when looking at different assisted living retirement homes. You should carefully consider the different options as for many people, this will be the last place they call home. It should be the best that it can be. 

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