Things To Look For When You Tour A Senior Living Facility

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If your elderly parents have a hard time taking care of themselves and are isolated at home, it may be time to move them into a senior living facility, like Crimson Ridge Meadows. Although they may not want to leave the home they've lived in for many years, you have to consider their safety and well-being. It's even possible your parents will be happier once they've adjusted, since they will have a more active social life and their meals and medications will be monitored. Choosing the right facility can be difficult since there are so many options. You should tour several before making a decision on where to move your parents. Here are some things to look for when evaluating a facility.

Friendliness Of Staff

While a facility is home to the residents living there, it is a workplace for the staff. Just like other workplaces, some are filled with people who don't get along and are poorly managed, and others are filled with workers who become a big family. You definitely want your parents to move into a facility where the workers are happy and friendly with each other and the residents. When you tour the facility, watch for staff interaction. There should be hugs, smiles, and laughs. The staff should seem to like each other, and more importantly, they should show respect and kindness towards the residents.

Talk to residents and their family members. Find out how well they are treated and how much they like the nurses and aides who care for them. Find out if there are problems with being rushed during meals or with personal hygiene tasks. Ask if their calls for help are answered quickly and if they are happy in the facility.

Cleanliness And Odors

A busy facility may not be spotless, but there should be no widespread problems with bad odors and dirty floors. It can be challenging to keep a medical facility free from odors, but a facility that does so shows they work hard to maintain a clean living space for the residents. Check things like stained and dirty carpets, dust on window sills, dull and dirty flooring, messy common rooms, and obvious signs of neglect like peeling paint. The facility should have a dedicated staff that keeps the building clean, sanitary, and free from odors. If you're moving your parents into an apartment setting, be sure to ask about housekeeping services. Find out what duties your parents are responsible for and what services are provided by the facility and what they cost.

Meal Options

Seniors are at risk of malnutrition when they live alone. That is one advantage of moving your parents into a senior living facility. However, if the meals are bland and the mealtime is chaotic, your parents may not have much of an appetite there either. Eat a meal at the facility if possible so you can sample the food. See if the meals are presented in an appealing manner that reminds your parents of eating at home rather than eating institutional food. Also, ensure the facility caters to special diets in case one of your parents eats a vegetarian or gluten-free diet. Find out about the dining options. Your parents may prefer to dine alone in their room, or they might enjoy the social interaction of going to the dining hall for meals daily.

Available Activities

Another benefit of a senior living facility is the availability of social activities. Rather than sitting at home in front of a television all day, your parents can participate in clubs and other forms of entertainment. Your parents may like to play cards, go on supervised outings to the mall, work in the facility garden, play shuffleboard, swim, or dance. The more activities on offer, the better. When your parents are around other seniors and make new friends, they may avoid depression and isolation that develop when trapped at home alone. That will help their final years be more fulfilling and happier. Depending on your parent's state of health, they may even go on field trips to local attractions and restaurants. Some facilities even offer shuttle transportation to local stores, and others have full gyms so your parents can get daily exercise.

If your parents are still active and mobile, an apartment or condo setting may be ideal since they will need minimal medical supervision. However, there is a facility suited for all states of health, including dementia and Alzheimer's. By touring several facilities in your area, you'll get a feel for the services available so you can pick one that fits your parent's needs. Knowing they are safe and happy will give you peace of mind, and their lives will be better too.

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17 November 2015

the positive impact of nursing homes

My mother had been living with my family for about four years before her health got so bad that I couldn't keep her in my home any longer. At that point, I really had no choice but to find a comfortable nursing home for her to move into. This wasn't an easy decision for me to make, but it was the only thing I could do to ensure she was getting the best care possible during her final days. I was pleased to find a wonderful nursing home that provided her with amenities that she could enjoy and a caring staff that would care for her. If you are second-thinking taking your loved one to a nursing home, stop and read my blog where you will find out how much good it can do for your loved one and yourself.