Seniors today are not the seniors of yesteryear-most live full, active, and balanced lives. So deciding to move into assisted living, senior community, or another type of senior housing can be a confusing process for seniors and their families alike. The process of choosing assisted living communities can be daunting, but fortunately, there are resources that can help you.
We’ve compiled questions to ask and things to think about when considering assisted living communities. Choosing the right community requires serious consideration, so take your time when evaluating the services, features, and policies offered by those communities.
Atmosphere
As you arrive at the residence, do you like its location and outward appearance?
As you enter the lobby and tour the residence, is the decor attractive and homelike?
Do you receive a warm greeting from staff welcoming you to the residence?
Does the administrator/staff call residents by name and interact warmly with them as you tour the residence?
Do residents socialize with each other and appear happy and comfortable?
Are you able to talk with residents about how they like the residence and staff?
Do the residents seem to be appropriate housemates for you or your loved one?
Are staff members appropriately dressed, personable, and outgoing?
Do the staff members treat each other in a professional manner?
Are the staff members that you pass during your tour friendly to you?
Are visits with the resident welcome at any time?
Physical Features
Is the community well-designed for your needs?
Is the floor plan easy to follow?
Are doorways, hallways, and rooms accommodating to wheelchairs and walkers?
Are elevators available for those unable to use stairways?
Does a physician or nurse visit residents regularly to provide medical checkups?
To what extent are medical services available and how are these services provided?
Are handrails available to aid in walking?
Are cupboards and shelves easy to reach?
Are floors made of a non-skid material and carpets firm to ease walking?
Does the residence have good natural and artificial lighting?
Is the residence clean, free of odors, and appropriately heated/cooled?
Does the residence have sprinklers and clearly marked exits?
Does the residence have a means of security if a resident wanders?
Needs Assessments, Contracts, Costs & Finances
Is a contractual agreement available that discloses healthcare and supportive services, all fees, as well as admission and discharge provisions? What are the policies for refunds and transfers?
Is there a written plan for the care of each resident?
Does the residence have a process for assessing a potential resident’s need for services and are those needs addressed periodically?
Does this process include the resident, and his or her family and facility staff, along with the potential resident’s physician?
Are there any government, private, or corporate programs available to help cover the cost of services to the resident?
Services
Is staff available to meet scheduled and unscheduled needs?
Can the residence provide a list of services available?
Is staff available to provide 24-hour assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) if needed? ADLs include dressing, eating, mobility, hygiene and grooming, bathing, toileting, using the telephone, shopping, and laundry.
Does the residence provide housekeeping services in residents’ units?
Can residents arrange for transportation on fairly short notice?
Are pharmacy, barber/beautician, and/or physical therapy services offered on-site?
It’s important to be prepared when calling and touring assisted living centers. Each community is unique, if you’ve seen one assisted living facility; you’ve seen one assisted living facility. Review the checklist below to stay organized, compare communities and ask the right questions to help you decide on the community that’s right for your loved one.
Questions to Ask When you Call or Visit
What is your staff-to-resident ratio?
What kind of experience and training does your staff possess?
How many staffers are on duty overnight?
Can staff administer medications?
Do you have a nurse on staff 24/7?
Do you have any experience with (issues or diagnosis of your care recipient)?
Do you do an initial assessment prior to admission?
What types of apartments are available?
What is the monthly cost per apartment type?
If there is a wait list, how many are on it and what is the policy?
Tell me about some of the current residents.
Do you have any outdoor space?
What is your discharge policy?
What additional services are available if the needs of a resident change?
What are your billing and payment policies?
Are all services included in the monthly fee? If not, what and how much are additional services?
