How do you choose the best assisted living community for your senior loved one?
There are about 28,900 assisted living communities with nearly one million licensed beds in the US today. Finding the right one can be challenging when faced with so many options.
You want the best senior care that your aging parents, grandparents, or respected elder can enjoy for the rest of their days. But sometimes, the pressure, emotions, and time constraints may compel you to make a decision that seems good at the time.
Then it breaks your heart to find out later that they’re not happy with their new living situation.
How do you avoid this painful experience from happening? Below are some common mistakes to look out for when choosing the right assisted living community for your loved one.
Going Through the Process Alone
A decision this critical with life-altering implications shouldn’t rest on just you.
Get everyone who cares about your loved one involved with the decision. Talk to friends and family who’ve been through the process. Asking for feedback and gathering multiple opinions can help make the decision easier and take a weight off your shoulders.
Finally, never make the mistake of not involving the senior in the decision. Always consider your loved one’s wishes. You may have some differences of opinions, but do not insist on your preferences and disregard theirs.
As long as your loved one can still be a part of the decision-making process, it’s best to get them involved as much as possible.
Making Hasty Decisions
Devote as much time as possible to researching the assisted living community that’s right for your dearest senior. Rushing the decision due to pressure is one of the biggest mistakes you could make.
Visit at least three different communities to evaluate the staff, residents, and amenities.
Make sure that the employees are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the residents. Observe if the residents are treated with the love and respect they deserve—click for more information on this topic.
The Best Assisted Living Community Isn’t Necessarily the Closest
Wanting to visit your loved one as often as possible is a noble sentiment. With that in mind, it’s understandable to pick the community closest to your home. But by choosing based on proximity, you may be sacrificing considerations that are far more important.
Remember that the choice is not about your convenience. It’s about what’s best for your senior family member.
Not Planning for the Future
It’s not wise to choose a community that can only care for your loved one’s current needs. Be realistic about their abilities and how they’ll change in the future. Not every community can provide higher levels of care.
It’s essential to anticipate their future health needs. Ensure that they’ll remain in optimal health even while facing increasing physical and mental limitations.
Your Senior Loved One Deserves the Best
One of the best gifts you can give to your loved ones is making sure they’ll be happy and healthy during their twilight years. Choosing the best assisted living community is complicated. But you can be confident about your decision if you can avoid the mistakes mentioned in this article.
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