How to Choose the Best Assisted Living Facility

When the time comes to choose a retirement home for you or your loved one, you will want to make sure that you find the best option out there. In this article, you will find some important tips to follow to make sure you choose the assisted living facility that will best suit your needs.

1. Determine the Type of Care You or Your Loved One Will Need So That You Can Best Weigh the Available Options
Retirement homes generally have three different levels of care available for their residents. Skilled nursing is for residents who need around-the-clock care. If you or your loved one does not need this level of care, you may opt for assisted living or independent living. Assisted living care allows the resident to have some freedom, but does involve staff checking in on the resident daily and providing them with meals. Independent living provides the resident the most amount of freedom, with staff helping out with certain activities such as cooking or cleaning, but allowing the resident to do most things on their own.

2. Make a List of Options and Confirm that the Facility You Choose Follows Retirement Home Rules and Regulations
One of the first steps will be to make a list of potential facilities in your area to consider. You will also want to make sure that the retirement homes on your list follow the rules and regulations set by the Nursing Home Act and also follow any federal and state requirements. You can also investigate this at www.medicare.gov.

3. Take a Tour of Any Facility You Are Considering
When choosing a retirement home, it is important to visit the facility to get a feel for how the place actually operates. You will want to make sure to speak with the staff and the operating manager to have them answer any of your lingering questions.

4. Ask About Any Legal Issues the Retirement Home Has Faced in the Past
You will want to make sure that the facility is licensed. You may also want to check if there was any period of time in the past during which the facility lost its license, and if so, for what reason. Unfortunately elder abuse and neglect in nursing homes?is a prevalent issue among nursing homes in California and throughout the United States. It’s important to do your due diligence to ensure that the facility is safe and that the staff is experienced in taking care of your loved one.

5. Inspect and Look Around the Facility
It is important to ensure that the retirement home is clean. Additionally, you’ll want to take a look at the size of the rooms or apartments that the residents live in. It is also a good idea to take the time to visit the common-area rooms where residents may spend time together as a group.

6. Talk to the Retirement Home Staff, Especially the Managers
During your tour of the facility, you will want to take the opportunity to speak with the staff. Staff members can give you useful information about their training programs, the ratio of staff members to residents, and the work atmosphere in general.

7. Speak with the Residents
One of the best ways to get an idea of what the retirement home is really like is to talk to its residents. The residents will be able to give you details about the quality of life and care they are experiencing while living there.

Choosing the correct nursing home is incredibly important as you are putting your trust and you or your loved one?s health in the hands of another. By taking the necessary steps you are both protecting you or your loved one from?possible nursing home abuse and ensuring a better quality of life during your stay at the assisted living facility.