Tracy Finding the proper care facility for your aging loved one is essential. It involves financial, legal, logistical and emotional elements that must be carefully considered and navigated. Here are some tips to ensure the comfort of your loved ones.
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Take a Tour
Assisted living facilities such as assisted living Waukesha are vital to shelter and care for senior citizens. One way to find out if an assisted living facility is good is by a facility tour. Tours are an excellent way to get an overall feel for an assisted living facility. A friendly guide will walk you through the community and ensure you have all the answers you need to decide whether or not it’s the right place for your loved one. NCAL recommends asking questions about the staff ratio, the average type and level of training, and how well the staff can communicate with residents. You also may want to inquire about how the staff handles complaints and reports of elder abuse or neglect. Visiting potential communities often allows families to observe social interactions and other opportunities for life enrichment that can help prevent loneliness and isolation, which have been linked to poor health outcomes in older adults. A mealtime tour of an assisted living facility can help you understand the food quality and whether or not residents can order seconds if they are hungry. Additionally, be sure to ask about dietary restrictions and other special requests.
Talk to the Staff
The staff of an assisted living facility is a crucial part of the overall quality of care. They can help residents with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, and administering medications. They are also able to interact with residents and answer their questions. It is important to ensure that there are enough staff members on hand to meet the needs of residents at all times. This is especially important if you or your loved one needs round-the-clock care. You should ask if the facility offers 24-hour care or whether nurses can assist. It is also essential to ask how the staff gets to know new residents and how much time they spend with them during their first few weeks. These support systems will help your loved one feel more at home in their new environment.
Ask Questions
One of the biggest concerns for senior citizens and their loved ones is finding an assisted living facility suitable for their needs. From determining whether your parent can live alone in a private bedroom or apartment to ensuring that they will get the nutrition they need for their diet, there are a lot of questions to ask before choosing a facility. A good tour starts with a warm handshake and a conversation about what is important to you. Then, the tour guide will go to town, answering all your questions and letting you glimpse the community. During the tour, ask what kind of care your parent will receive and how the staff will assist them. These critical questions will help you find the right home for your loved one.
Listen to Your Gut Feelings
One of the best ways to get a feel for a community is to listen to your gut feelings. This can be tricky if you don’t know how to interpret your instincts and trust them, but if you do, your intuition is a powerful decision-making tool.
Researchers have found that using your gut to make decisions can result in better outcomes 68% of the time. Your brain uses the information processed by your gut to quickly assess your memories, past learnings, personal needs and preferences and then makes the wisest choice. Your gut also has a solid connection to your heart. Your heart sends emotional signals to your brain, which can trigger your intuition if they’re valid.
