Sometimes, life can get hard when it comes to meeting the increasing needs of an elderly person. They may require more care, attention, and assistance with basic tasks. Assisted living facilities are a special type of accommodation that’s designed to meet the needs of elderly people.
The philosophy of assisted living is to promote independence, maintain dignity, and provide a comfortable quality of life for aging people. The aim is to meet the physical, social, and emotional needs of elderly folks. Providing a happy environment is key for them to thrive.
When you’re looking at the various assisted living facilities, familiarize yourself with assisted living terms and the facility’s assisted living philosophy. Take a tour of the place and find out about the activities they offer. Find out if they offer personalized care plans, and if dietary needs are accommodated.
Another option for assisted living facilities is continuing care at home, where the elderly person can remain at home and get the care they need from a trained person. This lets them be comfortable in familiar surroundings. This gives them and their family peace of mind. Whichever option you choose, carry out thorough background research, and ensure the staff are professionally trained.
Almost 70% of Americans turning 65 will need long term care at some point. Yet, when the time comes, it can be one of the most difficult decisions to make. How do you choose the right Alzheimers and dementia care facilities? Adult children are spouses are often also a part of this decision, meaning it is important to find an assisted living option that meets everyone?s demands. These are some of the most important questions to ask possible assisted living homes when considering which one is the best.
How long have you been established?
This is not to say that newer Alzheimer’s care homes are of less quality. It is just an important question to ask to gather further information. Choosing newer Alzheimers and dementia care facilities could mean that they have not yet established an activity schedule. It could also mean that they have not yet received state licensing. If they do not state regulations, it is possible that they could be closed down and you are required to start your search all over again.
What is done to enhance security and safety?
Memory care units usually provide 24 hours supervised care for the residents. However, you will want to find out exactly what this means. What happens if a resident gets up in the middle of the night and tries to leave the secure building? What happens if a person on the outside attempts to enter in the middle of the night? Is there a security guard on site at all times? These are important features to understand about Alzheimers and dementia care facilities.
What is the emergency medical plan?
Many aging seniors are dealing with numerous medical conditions. For this reason, it is also important to understand the medical steps of the Alzheimers and dementia care facilities. What happens if your loved one experiences a medical emergency? Will they attempt to reach you first? Will they immediately call for help? Do they have a licensed physician or nurse on site at all times to handle these medical emergencies? Medical problems within Alzheimer?s care facilities are relatively normal, so you want to get a better understanding of the process of receiving medical care.
What daily tasks does the staff help with?
Assisted living homes tend to vary in terms of assistance. Almost 40% of assisted living residents receive assistance with three or more daily living activities. When you have a loved one living away from you, you do not necessarily have the ability to help them with all of their needed daily tasks. You will want to get an understanding of what types of tasks the staff assists with. While most assisted living facilities assist with things like eating, medical routines, and daily hygiene, some may not offer transportation to medical appointments or medical procedures.
What is included in the monthly payment?
Many assisted living homes operate with a monthly payment. This monthly payment may or may not be covered by your insurance. Either way, you will want to find out exactly what is included in that monthly payment. Does the assisted living facility provide them with transportation? Do they get three meals per day? Do they have access to snacks? Do they have to pay extra for on site medical care? Some assisted living homes might charge extra for on site activities or off site excursions. Find out ahead of time what is included so you do not end up paying thousands of dollars per month on top of the initial fee.
Choosing an assisted living facility for your loved one is one of the biggest decisions that you will make. You want them to be happy, secure, and safe. Make sure you are asking all of these questions as you do your initial walkthrough of possible assisted living centers.