Finding a senior home for someone you love should take time and consideration. This is where they will possibly spend the rest of their lives, and your choice will have a direct impact on their quality of life and even their expectancy. You also have to make sure that they will be taken care of properly if they have special needs and that they’ll be safe at all times. Let’s take a look at a few things you should do if you want to find the perfect senior living facility for your parents.
Get them Involved in the Decision
Don’t start looking at facilities without consulting the person it is for first. You need to get an idea of what they want in a facility, what type of ambiance they would prefer, whether they’d prefer to live in the city or the suburbs, etc. Getting them involved early on will allow you to build a list of homes based on these criteria and start doing some research.
Know What Type of Arrangement Would Be the Best for Them
It’s also very important that you know the difference between different types of senior facilities and what they have to offer. Some people, for instance, think that nursing homes, senior homes, and care homes are all the same when they’re very different.Nursing homes are for people who are bedbound most of the time, while senior homes can range from completely independent living to assisted living.
If your parents have limited mobility or even slight dementia issues or cognitive decline, don’t assume that they need a nursing home. Assisted living could be enough if the issues are not that serious, while you could go for a Sidmouth care home if they need something in between. So, look at all the options and be careful with the one you pick.
Visit the Facility with Them
If the person is mobile enough to go on a visit and they still have most of their senses, you can go on a few visits with them and start making some observations.One of the first things you should look at is how people treat and greet you once you get there. Seeing people engaged in their work is always a good sign and shows that the facility treats its employees well. You should also ask the home if they routinely rotate staff or if they have long-standing staff members. If they do, ask to speak with a few of them. This alone could give you a good idea of the level of care you can expect there and the sense of community.
As well as this, you need to look at the quality of the installations and their cleanliness and ask to see a few rooms. You should also make sure to visit the kitchen and try to attend a food service to assess the quality and variety of the food.
These few tips should allow you to find a great senior facility for your parents in no time. Remember to get them involved in every part of the process if possible and pick a facility where they truly feel at home.
