When considering retirement centers for your loved one you may feel overwhelmed. You have to find a place that will properly take care of your parent as if he or she were family. After all, your parent is your family and you only want the best. That said, there is a lot that goes into picking assisted living facilities. To help you now what to ask and what to look for, here is a list 9 things to remember when looking at retirement centers.
- The Staff
The first thing to look out for is the staff. The people working at the senior assisted living facilities will be the ones who take care of your family. As such, you want to make sure that they are both experienced and kind. Make sure to ask as many questions as you can about the center, its services and staff. Also, watch them for a time and see how they interact with the other residents. - Ask about Safety Measures
Another thing to consider is that you will need to see what safety measures are like at the center. You want your parent to live out each day in a safe and comfortable environment. As such, you should ask about all of the safety procedures that the facilities have to follow and look around to see what you can about the security when you get there. - Cleanliness
In addition, as your parent gets older it may become harder in order for him or her to take care of tasks like cleaning. This includes personal health. As such, the staff and any hired cleaners will be needed to take care of these tasks. So, make sure that they are staying up to code. You don’t want your parent to have to live in filth. - Meals
Its also important that you know your parent is being properly fed. The first step is to look at the menu and see if the food is nutritious and delicious. The retirement centers should just be giving your parent tapioca pudding and oatmeal. Hopefully, they can have some sort of variety. Then, when you visit in person you can see for yourself what is being served. - Look at the Equipment
Adding to that, if you’re going to be paying heaps of money, you want that center to have the best equipment possible. Look to see if the senior home is stocked with things such as grab bars for getting out of bed or rails in the hallways. In addition, there should be equipment in the bathrooms such as tall baths or showers with seats. It’s the little things that help keep your parent happy. - Activities
And, to keep your parent happy you will also want your parent to stay active. Studies show that in order to be happy retirees should be engaged in at least three or four regular activities. Check the information provided, ask around, ask while you’re there, and look when you visit to see what activities are available at each retirement home. - Location, Location, Location
It’s also important that you consider where the place is to begin with. You want to find a location that is close to you that you and your family can come visit often. That said, you do not want to jump at the decision and pick one of the retirement centers just because it’s close. Take the time to really consider each center and its location. - The Other Residents
In addition, you’ll want to look around and see what the other residents look like. Do they look happy? Do they look bored? If you are able to, you should even ask them about their own experiences. - Ask Your Parent
Lastly, you’ll want to ask your parent. After all, he or she will be the one to live there from now on. Ask and see what your parent thinks and make sure that the place you pick actually fits your parent’s lifestyle.
You love your parent and you want the best for him or her. As such, you have to take picking a new home seriously. Look around to see your options and really research everything about them. Only then should you decide.
