If you’ve been caring for a senior loved one, there may come a point where your help and support are not enough. Whether it’s a senior parent with dementia, or another condition, your loved one may need to go into a senior living community to get expert care. Once the decision has been made for your loved one to transition to a senior living community, you need to find one that aligns with their needs. To help make up your mind, here are some of the top elements to look out for when touring a facility.
Observe the Level of Cleanliness
One of the most important questions to ask yourself when you walk through the doors of a senior living community, is does it feel fresh and clean? It’s your job to examine the facility’s furnishings, baseboards, windows, and corners. If you’re not happy with the hygiene standards, understandably, you won’t want to place your senior loved one into their care.
Engage with Staff
How the staff introduce themselves and interact with residents is crucial. First impressions count, so if you feel as though something is off when touring the facility, you need to listen to your gut. When engaging with staff, there are several things to think about. These include whether the staff listen and make eye contact. A smile can go a long way, especially in helping residents settle in, so make sure you take the time to communicate with the staff and ask any questions you may have.
Look at the Dining Options
The dining room experience is an important aspect of a senior living community. You’ll want to be assured your senior loved one is eating healthy, nutritious meals. Therefore, when touring a facility, why not use it as an opportunity to try out the food yourself? Make sure you and your loved one have a meal together at the property. Doing so will give you an idea of what the cuisine is like. If you’re not happy with the food options available, it may be wise to look at a different facility.
Speak to Residents and Families
One of the best ways to get an honest insight into how the senior living community is run is by engaging with the residents and their families. They will have no reason to lie about what goes on behind the scenes, so this should provide reassurance and clarity.
Think About Safety and Security
If your senior loved one has Alzheimer’s for example, you may worry about the symptoms associated with the disease, such as confusion. Therefore, you need to focus on their safety and security. When on a tour of a senior living facility, make sure you ask questions regarding what safety measures are in place, such as emergency alert systems.
Book a Visit
Now that you have an idea of what to look out for in a senior living community, the next step is to book a tour. For example, you can schedule a visit to senior living St. Louis communities like The Gatesworth who will welcome you and your senior loved one and show you what kind of services they can provide.
Whether you’re touring a senior living community in person or virtually, referring to the tips above should help make the decision process easier. You’ll want your senior loved one to be in the best hands, so make sure to ask plenty of questions and tour several facilities before choosing one.
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