Moving older adults to assisted living can be challenging for many families. In fact, the decision of making the transition is tough enough, but once that is resolved, the next step is to find an assisted living community that will suit their needs and preferences.

In general, assisted living refers to a residential type facility for the elderly who need help with some of the activities of daily living such as cooking, bathing and traveling to appointments. Such facilities offer all of these services including round-the-clock medical care and supervision of a nursing home.

That’s why it is important to choose the perfect community where your loved ones will be well cared for and will fit their lifestyle and personality.

So, while you are checking out the services and offerings of various assisted living facilities, here are a few things you need to watch out for to make the process easier. 

Keep it close to home

The location of the assisted living facility plays a major role in making your decision. Most patients choose to remain in the local area and be close to their family, so they will get to see them more often.

For example, one of the best states in the country that offers excellent living conditions for older adults is Colorado. In fact, if you are living in the Denver area, the senior living Denver Colorado-based community would be an excellent choice for your loved one. Not only will you be able to see your older adult whenever you want, but it will also be beneficial for your older adult’s quality of life as they get older.

Meet the staff

One of the most important things to look for in an assisted living facility is a highly trained staff. You want the people who work there to be professional caregivers and treat their patients with the same level of love, attention and dedication as you do. 

That’s why it is recommended that you meet the staff and talk about the services they give their patients. This will be an excellent opportunity to see how they interact with residents as well as their levels of compassion for older adults.

Read reviews

If you are searching for assisted living online, then you should definitely look for reviews to help you narrow down the best community in your area. Reading online reviews can be very useful in learning about any past or current experiences of patients who have stayed there.

In general, such reviews include information about everything from the quality of the staff to the food served at dinner. These are some things you won’t probably hear about during your guided tour with the head of the staff. At the end of the day, you want to choose a community that will be safe and enjoyable for your loved one.

Ask about activities and amenities

Another crucial thing that will help you in the process of finding the perfect assisted living facility are the actual services they are offering. While some communities provide their residents with the basics such as housekeeping, medication management support, exercise and wellness programs and lots of social activities, others provide tailored services based on their patients’ specific health needs.

So, choosing a community that offers a combination of all would be an excellent choice. This way you will know your loved ones will be well cared for and their time spent there will be fulfilled.

Consider your budget

Another defining factor when choosing the perfect assisted living facility is cost. You want to find a community that your loved ones will like living in, but that is also affordable. For example, many residents are paying for their stay through personal finances such as their savings, long-term care insurance, veteran’s benefits or similar resources.

Also, keep in mind that there may be extra expenses to help move them into the community. You may need to hire professional movers who will bring all essentials your loved ones need to make their stay feel as homely as possible.

Final thoughts

There is no doubt that moving your loved ones to an assisted living facility is not an easy task. However, by choosing the best community for them, you are helping them keep up with their daily activities and lifestyles as they will be well cared for and supervised by highly trained caregivers.

So, in order to make the right decision, make sure you refer back to our free guide that summarizes the key information and highlights the most helpful checklist items.