Assisted living facilities can meet the needs of people who cannot live independently but do not require the around-the-clock care of a nursing home.
How to shop for family members who
reside in assisted living facilities
COURIER LIFE, NOVEMBER 15-21, 2019 41
Wellness
The decision to move yourself or a
family member to an assisted living
facility can be diffi cult. When
men and women begin to experience
diffi culty with everyday activities,
such as bathing, dressing or getting
around, families may need to explore
assisted living facilities.
Millions of people in North America
reside in assisted living facilities.
The majority of residents in senior
living are those who may need assistance
with one or two daily activities,
but who are otherwise mobile and selfsuffi
cient. Families faced with moving
relatives into assisted living facilities
can consider the following pointers to
fi nd facilities their loved ones will enjoy.
Consider the arrangements
and services offered. Some facilities
offer single rooms, while others
provide apartment-style living. Most
assisted living facilities provide a variety
of services — such as housekeeping,
laundry, exercise and wellness
classes, and social activities — for
their residents. Investigate the offerings
at each home you visit, looking
for a facility that best suits your loved
one’s needs.
Inquire about staff and their
schedules. It is important to know
how many staff members a facility has
and how many people are working at
any given time. Do staffi ng schedules
differ at night? If a resident has a particular
rapport with one staff member,
can he be requested? Look for a facility
that is well-staffed and adept at
dealing with elderly men and women.
Learn about individual service
plans. Many assisted living facilities
create individual service plans,
or ISPs, for their residents to ensure
individualized care is given. These
plans are important for the safety
and comfort of residents and also can
help maximize a person’s independence.
Some communities offer memory
care programs for those with Alzheimer’s
disease or other cognitive
disorders.
Consider the security in place. A
good assisted living facility has a 24-
hour support system in place and immediate
access to care. Rooms may be
equipped with emergency phones that
can be accessed day or night. Many
homes have check-in desks so that residents
are accounted for when going on
outings and for announcing guests.
Check on licensing. In the United
States, each state has its own licensing
requirements for assisted living facilities.
Confi rm a facility is licensed
and that it meets the expectations of
the local regulatory agency. In addition,
check with the Better Business
Bureau to see if any complaints have
been fi led against the home.
Assisted living facilities can meet
the needs of people who cannot live
independently but do not require the
around-the-clock care of a nursing
home.