There are many important steps to take as you are finding the right home for your loved one. One tip we give to our customers is to set up a tour for the facility you are interested in. Our advisors are more than happy to schedule an on-site tour for you and will give you a list of things to look for as you visit the site. Here are a list of questions to ask as you tour your chosen facility.
1. Does this facility meet my loved one’s needs?
Before you schedule an appointment with the facility you are interested in, make sure you properly assess your loved one’s needs. Evaluate whether or not your loved one is able to complete ADL tasks, also known as activities of daily living. To assess this, set up an evaluation with your family physician, who can then examine the physical and mental capabilities of your loved one. The doctor will also assess your loved one’s capacity to perform instrumental activities of daily living, also known as IADLs. These activities are more complex in nature and include transportation, shopping, managing finances, communicating with others, preparing meals, managing the household, and other tasks.
Understanding your loved one’s needs will give you a clear idea of what you need to look for in a facility. Most care facilities provide general maintenance such as meals, social activity programs, housekeeping, and laundry service. Therefore, while you are looking through facilities, your main concern should revolve around the types of medical and personal care services provided. For example, does you loved one need personal care assistance in completing activities of daily living? Or does your loved one need more medical attention because of chronic illness and injury? Does your loved one need specialized nurses that are skilled in caring for dementia or Alzheimer’s? All of these will help you assess if the facility will be suitable for your loved one’s physical and mental needs.
2. Is this facility clean and well-maintained?
Take note of the environment and observe the cleanliness of the facility as you tour the grounds. Does the living space feel clean? How is the air quality and the ventilation? Check to see if the overall living space is consistent in its maintenance. Ask questions about how often housekeeping services are provided. How comfortable do you feel when you are in the facility? Keep in mind the overall atmosphere of the space. Also note if the staff and skilled nurses have sanitary habits. When visiting any home or facility, you want to look for the best for your loved one and cleanliness is an important factor.
3. Are the staff friendly and attentive?
As you visit the home or facility, take note of the staff and how they operate in their tasks. Are they attentive and caring to the residents? Does it seem like they value what they do? As you talk to each staff member, make observations on how they prioritize the needs of each resident. These are very important considerations as the staff and management represent the rudder that steers the ship. Be aware of gaps in attentiveness and supervision. Ask hard questions concerning safety and see how each member responds to you. This will give you a clear idea of the priorities and purposes of how the facility is managed.
4. Get an insider’s perspective.
Look for visiting family members and ask questions to see what they appreciate about the facility. Ask around and talk to people who have been at the facility or were previous residents. Have a meal at the center and see if you and your family member enjoy the food. You can even talk to the residents over meal time to see what they enjoy about the facility.
These are just a few of the tips we give to those who are searching for a suitable home. When it comes to choosing the right place, there are many factors to consider. That’s why we recommend setting up a free one-on-one appointment with an advisor. You’ll get personalized advice and tips for what to look for so that you can find the best place for your loved one to thrive. Call us today at (855) 242-9668 to have a personal advisor guide you through the process. We’ll answer all your questions and concerns about each living community and facility. We can also help you schedule a tour for the homes and facilities you are interested in!
For more tips on finding the best senior home for your loved one, visit our Help & Advice page and our blog.
