Our elderly loved ones deserve the best care that they could possibly get. As they continue to get older, there will come a time when they might need special care to address their individual needs.
Depending on their indicative signs, you need to be prepared and aware of the appropriate service they require, whether they need to go to a retirement home, nursing institution, dedicated memory care establishment, or an assisted living facility.
Contrary to the negative notion others may have for sending their older relatives to a senior living facility, making the decision to move your loved one to assisted living offers a myriad of benefits.
From a safer and home-like environment, daily physical activities, and the opportunity to socialize with your peers, assisted living can enhance the quality of life of your loved ones. Here are some practical tips to consider in choosing a suitable living facility for your elderly.
Do Your Research Early To Avoid Procrastination
Finding the right facility for your senior relative takes time, and it doesn’t happen overnight. You must do your research properly, making sure that you explore all available options. Determine if you have facilities located near your area, as it is better to keep them as close as possible but never sacrifice quality for proximity.
If the ones in your area are not par with your standards, it is best that you expand your research. You can also ask them if they will be comfortable staying in a large facility or if they prefer a smaller one. In light of our current health situation, many are considering a smaller facility, as some experts say that might be a safer option.
Check government records to make sure the facility is licensed and compliant. Read online reviews, feedback, and ratings of other residents or family members. Try to get the inspection reports and their track record. Do they get complaints often, and if so, how do they handle it? List down the negative feedback and analyze how valid it might be or if it was written out of bias.
Acknowledge Their Feelings And Let Them Grieve
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For our senior loved ones, moving out of their homes is a difficult and painful process. It is emotionally taxing, and some might think that we are abandoning them by placing them in a facility.
We must allow them to grieve and do our best to sympathize with their feelings. As with any changes, accept that there will be an adjustment period not only for your aging loved one but also for you and your entire family.
Consider their preferences and keep them involved as much as you can. Talk to them frequently, respect their opinions and boundaries, and never disregard their pain. There will be cases wherein they will refuse help, and we must set our feelings aside and highlight the benefits of a senior living environment. Try to put yourself in their shoes to logically visualize their apprehensions and how you can positively reframe them. It is important that we make a conscious effort to convince them by highlighting the benefits of assisted living.
Get Familiar With The Place
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, schedule a tour so that you can visit the place. Observe the staff and the residents and check how they interact. Do they have a good rapport with each other, or does it seem forced? Does the staff know their names, or do they have to check their list or name tags?
Talk to the staff; are they genuinely friendly or constantly preoccupied? Strike conversations with all employees, including the security, janitor, administrative personnel, and cleaning staff. Ask how they handle conflicts and emergencies, their staff to patient ratio, visiting hours, their pandemic health protocols, how many are on the night shift, whether they have a registered nurse available 24/7, their training methods, and any concerns you might have.
Go inside the rooms and see if the bathrooms can accommodate a wheelchair and if there are safety handles. You need to make sure that you are taking all precautionary measures to prevent unwanted circumstances from happening.
Check also if they have a strong wireless connection and if they are allowed to use technological gadgets. Remember that these are challenging times due to the pandemic, so we need to exhaust all our resources to stay connected with our loved ones.
Eat a meal to check the food quality and, if possible, talk with the residents, especially those who have been there for a long time. Try to get a feel of the environment; is it peaceful or chaotic?
Watch out for any red flags such as dismissive staff, rude residents, or dirty cutlery. Check the neighborhood and look out for any areas that seem unsafe. Try to go back unannounced, preferably during meal times, as they may have placed their best foot forward during your initial visit.
Determine If They Offer Special Care That Your Loved One Needs
Aside from personal care services, your loved one might also need memory care assistance. The most common memory disorders for the elderly are dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Many of these assisted living facilities have specialized training for these medical cases. Therefore, you need to ensure that your chosen facility is highly capable of addressing these illnesses. Make sure to discuss with a physician first to assess the severity of the memory impairment, so you can efficiently narrow down your choices.
There are also assisted living facilities that offer nursing services such as diabetic care, catheter care, and tube feeding, so consider choosing a licensed facility to provide the medical assistance that your elderly might need in the future. With the correct information, finding quality care in assisted living facilities will be attainable and trouble-free.
Choosing the right assisted living facility for your aging parent or relative is an important family decision. Moving an elderly loved one is emotionally and physically challenging. We need to maximize all resources and options available to ensure that they enjoy their life to the fullest.
Photo by Nick Karvounis on Unsplash
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Umair Asif
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