Finding an assisted living facility can be a huge undertaking. Often this undertaking occurs during a time of transition or stress for the individual, matching the communities against each other. Most print media will advertise their communities as being beautiful and having many amenities; however, the true measure of a community is the life that the community provides to its residents and the peace of mind that it offers.
Entering a place that might be your next home can feel quite a lot at first. It is best to visit with some good and probing questions to gather the information (not just like an interrogation) rather than coming as an interrogator. This is not just a one-way street: it is a dialogue that will eventually decide the “home” aspect for both parties.
Not only do you need to think of yourself as a consumer, but you also need to think of yourself as an investigator. The questions below will give you a starting point to look for care, culture, and compatibility.
First Phase: Establishing Care and Staffing
The community is made up of the people who provide assistance and aid to the individuals who live there.
Key Questions:
1. What is the staff-to-resident ratio? Is it different during the nighttime hours?
a. The specific number is much more indicative than just saying “we are fully staffed”.
2. Can you tell me about staff training and retention? What is the average tenure of staff?
a. High turnover of staff can reflect poor management practices; it can also lead to inconsistency in care providing. (very important question)
3. Can you tell me how care plans are developed and modified? How involved are the resident and the family in these interactions?
a. This should indicate that they have a collaborative approach based on the person and not just a prescribed method to provide care.
4. How do you handle medical emergencies?
a. The response should reveal the individuals to be informed at once, the speed of getting help, and the degree to which the family’s understanding of the plan of action is involved.
Three Things to Look For:
a. Eye contact made by staff with residents on a regular basis when providing services.
b. Does staff call residents by name and seem genuine in their interaction with the resident?
c. Is their interaction with the residents as if time is of the essence and that they should hurry to provide the service? (look for this for all caregivers).
Stage 2: Community, Activity, and Social Wellbeing
It is essential to find a place where a community is more than simply a place where you live, but rather a place where you can socialize and participate. The types of activities offered by a community have a large impact on a person’s overall mental and physical health, so be sure to ask a lot of questions in this area.
Ask Questions:
“Can I have a copy of last month’s activity schedule? Please give me an example of a resident or two who is/was actively involved in our community, including what their favorite activities were?” (This is moving away from a general list of activities to get real-life examples of active participants.)
“What will you do to help support residents at varying levels of mobility and cognitive function so they can take part in activities?” (Community inclusion is key!)
“Are residents involved in planning the activities and menu?” (The resident involvement promotes resident independence.)
“Where do we hold private family events or personal hobbies?”
Stage 3 – Fine Print of Financial and Contractual Obligations
By asking clarifying questions, you can avoid any shockingly high costs associated with your contract. Avoid assuming anything – everything should be documented.
Questions to Ask:
1. “What is covered by the standard monthly fee, and what are some additional costs?” (You should request specific information about which items fall under these two categories. Some of the most common are medication management, incontinence supplies, and laundry services for employees.)
2. “When performing your nursing assessment, when do you evaluate a client’s changing needs, and how would that change my monthly payment structure?” (Be sure to know how this “tiered” pricing structure operates.)
3. “Is there a policy of annual price increases?” (By analyzing the community’s previous years’ price increases, it becomes easier to decide whether or not there will be large price increments in the future.)
4. “What would be the reasons for a client being asked to leave the community?” (It is important to understand the reasons for the discharge policy to be prepared for any change concerning your stay.)
What to Watch Out for: Will this person readily provide you with the information you are asking for? Will he or she be hesitant about providing you with information? In a well-respected community, this person will readily share information with you.
Phase 4: Living Experience: Safety, Comfort & Dining
Those little details that go into daily living in the community are what turn a house into a home. Be sure to dig into the real practical aspects of actually living there.
Questions to Consider:
“Can we tour the actual apartment we would be living in versus just the model?” (You want to check for things like natural light, storage areas and noise levels.)
“How is the dining experience structured? Are there usually several menu choices available? Will you be able to accommodate special diets?” (You should ask to see a sample menu as well as to stay to have a meal.)
“What are the safety and security features present in the unit and the whole community?” (The list can include things like emergency call systems, wandering management, entrance control, etc.)
“What is the pet policy? Are visitors allowed?” (Both of these kinds of connections are very important.)
Things to Pay Attention To: Is the community free of odors? Is it well-lit and does it have a clear path of safety? Trust your nose and eyes.
Phase 5: Unscheduled Visits and Resident Input:
Many of the best insights can be gained from talking to residents and staff at a location rather than during an official public connection.
Strategy:
An unexpected visit may be an eye opener because the weekend is when almost all administrative staff are off duty and there will be less traffic in the facility, thus having different visits at different times or days apart from the ones set for tours can help in getting such info.
Questioning Residents: Get the opinion of residents about what they like or do not like at the facility; questions like “What is your biggest dislike or joy about living here?” are significant. They will be the one to give the most honest and direct feedback about their stay there.
Reviews: Check reviews on various review sites, this information can give you an overall view but must be approached thoughtfully and fairly. Many times similar themes can be identified from multiple reviews and therefore are of great value.
Conclusion:
Finally, the ideal choice consists of a combination of practical safety, economic attractiveness, and that unquantified but easily recognized feeling of being comfortable and being part of the place. By means of these multifaceted interrogations, one not only gets to the surface but also comes to a very well-informed and confident decision for a life stage to be characterized by dignity, love and joy.
