The decision to move into an assisted living facility often brings a wave of mixed emotions. For an older adult, there could be feelings of anxiety but also some form of reassurance. And for the children of older adults, there could be feelings of relief but also some guilt (from not being in a position to take care of them personally).
These emotions make sense considering what assisted living facilities entail. Staff members make it easier for elderly adults manage their declining mobility, but these homes are also seen as a place where older ones are neglected.
If you’re considering a move into an assisted living facility, it’s vital to know what makes a particular facility accommodating, so that you choose one that caters to all of your needs. It’s also important to know when is the best time to make this move as well.
When Should You Consider the Move to An Assisted Living Facility
The time you move into a facility matters just as much as the facility itself. Moving in too soon can leave you feeling disconnected from your peers because you may be surrounded by individuals who have far less mobility than yourself. However, moving in too late could make the adjustment period more jarring for you emotionally.
So when is the best time to make that switch?
- Ultimately, the best time to move into an assisted living facility is when you realize that your daily tasks take significantly more effort (time and energy) than before.
- More crucially, if you notice you’re having “close calls” – almost getting injured doing an otherwise normal task – then it’s a sign you may need caregiver support.
- And of course, if you have recently suffered a serious injury doing a normally routine task, then that’s a glaring red flag that caregiver support in a professional facility is warranted.
It’s better to act quickly if you notice anyone of the above-mentioned conditions because making the move to an assisted living facility can prevent further problems or injury.
Finding Assisted Care Facilities: Putting the Pieces Together
If the decision to move into a facility gets the green light, then you need to figure out which one you will choose. That’s important because they are not all the same. Just like moving into a new neighbourhood or condo, each facility has its own culture so-to-speak, some of which may feel more or less inviting. Your comfort in an assisted living facility is not an option. With that said, there are a few traits to look at when considering a particular facility.
Atmosphere
The general feeling you’d get just walking around a facility is often good enough to validate or scratch off an option. It’s safe to say that if a facility’s environment gives you a bad feeling, then you should avoid it all together.
When getting a sense of atmosphere, it’s vital to look for a few things including:
- How staff members interact with residents and their family members
- How residents feel towards staff members
- The appearance of residents and their facial expressions
- Level of activity among residents (being outdoors, participation in activities)
- Cleanliness of the facility
Ideally, a good facility will have a good report for all of these criteria. Even if you were to give just one of these things a passing grade or less, it would be best to look at another option.
Proximity To Loved Ones
The closer an assisted care facility is to your family, the easier it is for family members to make regular visits. Distances that are too far often lead to neglect and infrequent visits, which has a negative impact on residents.
So to make it easier for both you and your family members, it is ideal to look at assisted care facilities that are close to your family members. It will take a bit of effort but you can have a relative help you find such a facility with the help of location-based services (ie. Google Maps) or traditional directories (ie. Yelp, YellowPages).
Costs
You also have to think carefully about the cost of an assisted living facility. It’s important to consider cost from two angles: the price of low-quality service vs the higher cost of top-notch service.
Even if your financial circumstances may not be the greatest at the moment, it’s still advisable to avoid very low-cost facilities. Rather, it’s better to think about cost-effectiveness – what you will get for what you (and your family members) will pay. Focusing on this facet of your assistive care factors into your level of comfort and security.
Ideally, the assisted living facility of your choice will have all of the amenities and services you’d want or need (more on this later). And of course, it would be ideal if the cost of the facility is affordable. Ultimately, you want to strike a balance where the cost of your residency works for your budget, but also allows you to enjoy the amenities of your choosing.
And that gives rise to a few considerations:
- The monthly fees/costs needed to take up a residency
- Necessary deposits/available refunds
- Limitations of your budget
- Available services and amenities
- Quality of furnishings, decor and staff
- Type of housing (ie. private, apartment, shared, suite)
You can determine whether a particular facility is right for you by weighing all of these factors together.
Level of Security & Safety
Don’t forget to consider the issue of safety. In addition to comfort, how safe you feel can either add or subtract from your experience, so it’s important to know whether a facility is equipped with the highest safety protocols available.
You may not learn everything about a facility by just visiting it, so it’s wise to ask the staff to see what security measures have been installed. You can also do this with help of a family member. Just remember that the more measures there are to keep you safe, the better.
When looking into a facility’s security measures, be sure to take a look at the following items:
- Easily accessible and clearly marked fire exits
- 24-hour emergency response available in each unit
- Staff is readily available when called
- Facility is properly lit and equipped with lockable doors for all units
- Facility is accessible for individuals with disabilities and limited mobility
- Sufficient heating and cooling available throughout facility
It’s standard for facilities worth their weight to have all of these features installed. If a particular one of interest is lacking one or more of these measures, then you’re better off looking at other options.
Services & Amenities
Finally, the more relaxing and “fun” part of finding assisted care facilities is to look for their services and amenities. With more time on your hands, it’s only fair that you have access to the activities you enjoy doing or new hobbies you would like to try.
A facility that offers a wide range of recreational and entertainment options is a facility you will want live in. Don’t underestimate this – it’s vital for your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. It’s also important for you socially, because you will bond with others who have like-minded interests, which goes a long way for you in terms of satisfaction.
With that said, there are a few things for you to look out for when seeking certain amenities and services:
- An active social scene with opportunities to participate in group activities
- A variety of planned activities taking place regularly
- Flexibility with scheduling and activity options
- Mix of various facilities (ie. religious, exercise, entertainment)
- Availability of electronics within units (ie. TVs, Wi-fi)
The availability of these services can mean the difference between a bland stay at an assisted care facility, or an experience that doesn’t feel too different from life in your own home.
Making the Transition Smooth
As stated earlier, moving into an assisted living facility can bring an assortment of feelings. You can keep more negative ones such as anxiety under control if you do your research ahead of time. Doing this will help you find assisted care facilities that meet your needs.
You can do so by having a family member take a look at the facility’s website. Even better, consider taking a physical tour as well to get a better glimpse of what life is like behind closed doors.
What you want is to find a facility that doesn’t feel too different from what you are accustomed to, and also provides you with the care you want going forward. With sufficient research and a bit of patience, you can be sure to find both.