Evaluating and considering important factors that will determine the best senior living facility environment for your loved one is vital, to their overall quality of life. Let us continue with Part 2, and discover a few more important factors for consideration when choosing an assisted living community.

Things to Think About

What are the Current and Future Needs?

When reviewing your options for senior assisted living, an important factor is not only your current needs, but also what your needs might be in the future. Many things will change from the time that your loved one first needs to consider assisted living, and in the years ahead. A detailed review should be completed of a facility’s ability to deliver quality service to meet your current needs, and their ability to deliver additional services, which may be needed in the future.

• What are the available levels of care the facility offers?
• Are there minimum or maximum stay periods?
• Is the staff trained and certified to provide medical assistance?
• Is the community wheelchair friendly?
• Does the community have security measures in place? A secure resident section?
• What support services are available?
• Are transportation services offered?

Potential Medical Problems

Are there any existing health problems that are likely to get worse over time? Conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia may rapidly get much worse at some point in the future, which will require additional support and care. It is important to think forward a few years and do your best to see what some of the potential health problems might be. You will want to align the potential future issues with available services and cost projections.

It’s All About People

In almost any area of life, the one thing that makes the largest impact is good people. At the end of the day, the people that make up the staff of your chosen assisted living facility will determine how good your experience is. An excellent staff that is well trained, caring and friendly is vital to the quality of life of your loved one and their overall daily happiness and safety.

Dealing with a potential assisted living situation for the very first time can seem difficult at first. There are a number of issues and factors that need to be considered. The most important thing to remember is to take your time, do your research and be sure to personally visit each potential facility.