Making the decision that your elderly parent needs more than assistance in their own home is a difficult one. However, finding an assisted living home that meets your needs can ease the process. What sorts of things should you consider when choosing an assisted living home?
1. Proximity. If possible, choose a home that is close to your own so you can visit often and spontaneously. Knowing you are just a few minutes away will be comforting to your parent and will ease the transition.
2. Caregivers. Visit the home during each shift to meet the caregivers. States require training and certification, but you should look for experienced caregivers who genuinely enjoy caring for the elderly. Sometimes you can tell by the expressions on their faces if they are happy there, or just going through the motions. Ask how many caregivers there are per shift, and how many residents live in the home. Try to find an assisted living home with a high caregiver to resident ratio.
3. Meals. Visit during mealtimes. It is important that the food served be nutritious and delicious. The elderly eat less as they age. Appetites diminish over time, and taste buds degenerate. Food must be appetizing, fresh and high quality so that the amount eaten provides adequate nutrition. Ideally, choose an assisted living home with a nutritionist on staff, or one that consults with nutritionists for meal planning. Be sure the home caters to dietary needs and offers substitutes for restricted items.
4. Activities. Activities should nurture the body, mind and spirit, and create community. Ask for the monthly calendar of activities. Are the activities interesting, fun, engaging, varied? The primary reason the elderly are placed in assisted living homes is concern for their safety living alone. An assisted living home should not only be a safe place, but one of community for your loved one. Are residents in the common areas, or are they all sequestered in their rooms? Do they speak to each other at meals or during activities, or are the only voices those of the caregivers?
5. Amenities. Amenities can add much to the quality of life in a care home. This is where care homes can differ significantly. Ask what makes their home special. Do they nurture the body, mind and spirit? Do they offer holistic therapies? Special programs? Do they have doctors that make house calls?
6. Volunteers. Befriend volunteers, as they can be eyes and ears of anything amiss with the home. Homes that are interested in the well being of their residents will often utilize volunteers, such as for reading out loud, helping residents with writing cards or checks, etc., because it allows them to offer more to their residents.
7. Pets. There are organizations all across the country that train pets and their owners to provide therapy visits. Visits with animals are particularly appreciated by the elderly, especially those with dementia or Alzheimer's. Find out if volunteers come to the home, and what they do for the residents.
8. Cleanliness. Is the home neat and clean? Do the bathrooms look and smell clean? Are the common areas tidy? Do the residents look groomed and are their clothes clean? (Residents have rights and they are free to refuse showers, food, medication, assistance with dressing and hygiene, all of which can cause a resident to appear uncared for; however, the resident's doctor, guardian or relatives are to be notified so that any underlying issues can be addressed. If all the residents appear to be unkempt, there may be an issue with the care being provided.)
9. Violations. States have regulatory agencies that keep track of the violations of assisted living homes. It may not concern you that much if a care home failed to chart one of its routine fire drills, but it should concern you if there have been multiple claims of abuse, neglect, or safety issues.
10. Cost. Care homes usually have sliding fees based on the size of the room, whether it is a suite with a private bath, and the level of care the resident requires. The more care, the higher the fee. The larger the room, the more the cost, with suites being the most expensive. Personal items, such as Depends, other hygiene items, denture creams, medication, etc. are all the responsibility of the resident. Meals and snacks, assistance with daily needs such as getting up, going to bed, bathing, toileting, cleaning, laundry service, activities and entertainment are usually included in the monthly fee. Find out what is not included in the fee, so that there are no surprises at the end of the month. And do not be afraid to ask what their policy is in raising fees: do they give notice, how often have they raised fees in the past, do they anticipate raising fees in the next six months?
Take a checklist or list of questions when you visit care homes. Make sure you get the answers to all your questions so that you are fully informed when making your decision. When you've done your homework and narrowed it down to the best 3 or 4 that meet your needs, if possible, take your parent to tour the homes. Allow your parent to select the one that feels right for them. You'll ease the transition by including your parent in the decision-making, and you'll both have peace of mind that you've made the best choice.
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