Assisted Living

Anytime assisted living is brought up one of the first, and most important questions, is “how do I know when a loved one needs assisted living?” The answer is not entirely clear cut, but if you know or have someone in your family that requires assistance with daily tasks but does not need intensive medical care, then assisted living is a good place to start.

In 2019 assisted living can take many forms. It can be a nursing care center, even a hospital, the more typical retirement community or a senior housing facility. In a typical assisted living facility, residents will have their own bedroom, bathroom, perhaps a small kitchenette and even a living room. Sharing space with a roommate is always an option and a good one for those folks who might receive residual benefits from increased socialization.

Basic Offers

Most assisted living facilities will offer:

• 3 meals per day
• 24-hour assistance (supervision, security, etc)
• Housekeeping and laundry
• Assistance with personal care which can include bathing, eating and similar daily activities
• Health care management
• Medication dispensary
• Wellness programs and classes/exercises
• Transportation to outings and in the event of emergencies

Questions to Ask

When investigating potential facilities here are a handful of questions that should be addressed:

• What is the staff-to-patient ratio?
  • You aren’t necessarily looking for the best possible ratio, but there is a difference between 1-to-4 compared to 1-to-10.
• What type of training do staff need to have and do they receive on-going training?
  • This is a great question because good facilities can give you a quick answer (as every staff member has been undergoing constant training since their arrival). If the answer is hazy or unclear, that’s not a good sign.
• Can the facility continue caring for my loved one as his/her needs change?
  • Another fantastic question to address because one’s illness or disability at 80 can be entirely more complex at 85. It is vital that the facility is upfront with you surrounding their ability to care for your loved one and when they simply cannot.

Visiting Tips

When visiting, look or inquire about these:

• Pick a time during mealtime to visit. This will allow you to see how folks eat, what they eat, and where.
• Ask about security measures, call buttons, where they’re located around the facility and in the rooms.
• Keep an eye out for nursing personnel and how heavily they’re involved in the day-to-day routines/activities.
• If you can, strike up a conversation with residents. Ask them about their experience, if they would recommend it, etc.

While there is much more to write on this is a quick and handy guide to getting you started in your assisted living search. Here's a good place to start: Riffbuddy - Assisted Living.