7 Questions to Ask When Considering Assisted Living
Thinking about all of the senior care options available can be overwhelming. When considering where and how your loved one will age, you’ll need a comprehensive overview of each option.
During tours and meetings with senior care providers, you may not remember to ask all of the necessary questions. Here are the most important factors to ask about and consider when evaluating assisted living for your senior loved one.
1. “What Do You Want?”
Your loved one is an individual with personalized needs and desires. What they want and need could differ from other seniors. Asking your loved one about their goals and vision for their later years is paramount.
Before you start researching all of the care options for them, consider asking your loved one: “What do you want for your life?”
Obviously, this question has nuance — if they struggle with memory or cognition issues, they may not be able to make this decision for themselves. However, their opinions and feelings still matter.
You’ll likely find that your elder loved one is a lot less resistant to receiving proper care if you take their wishes into account.
2. “What Kinds of Amenities Are Available?”
When touring assisted living facilities, remember to ask about amenities. Most assisted living places offer basic personal and medical care for residents. The amenities are what set each place apart.
Amenities can include:
- Swimming pools
- Vending machines
- Snack bars
- Dining spaces and restaurants
- Fitness rooms and gyms
- Outdoor trails and tracks
- Group classes
- Adult education courses
- Spiritual services
This list is not exhaustive.
Compare the facility’s answers with your loved one’s current lifestyle. Will they be happy with the amenities offered? Will they generally enjoy these fun “extras,” or is aging at home more important to them?
3. “Do You Offer 24/7 Care and Staffing?”
Ask each assisted living tour guide what kind of staffing is available at all hours of the day and night. Some professionals may not be available until the daytime, while others are on-site around the clock.
Think about what your loved one’s current daytime and nighttime needs are. Do they have middle-of-the-night medications to take? Are they content with being alone after bedtime? Do they require constant supervision or just occasional assistance? Adjust your ranking of each facility accordingly.
4. “What’s Your Resident Culture Like?”
Morale is an important factor to consider when touring assisted living facilities. If the residents are generally happy, social, and cooperative with staff, your loved one will likely have a better experience.
Poor staff and resident morale can lead to conflict, anxiety, and depression among residents. Pay close attention to how everyone behaves as you tour each place.
It’s a green flag if an assisted living facility gathers concrete information about resident satisfaction. A good community will offer you some of this data to ease your concerns about your loved one’s well-being.
5. “What Do the First Days and Weeks Look Like for Residents?”
Your loved one deserves a welcoming, friendly community. Find out how each assisted living community welcomes new residents. A warm welcome can set a positive tone for your loved one’s entire experience in assisted living.
You should also ask about planned orientation days that will help your loved one learn about their new home. How does the facility help your loved one adjust? Look for information about new resident tours and events, as well as meet-and-greets with staff and other residents.
6. “What’s Your Staff-to-Resident Ratio?”
How many residents does each staff member care for? Smaller staff-to-resident ratios are usually safer and result in higher resident satisfaction. Smaller ratios allow staff to respond to residents’ needs more quickly. This can prevent emergencies and reduce safety risks.
If a facility seems overcrowded or poorly staffed, consider it a red flag. Your loved one wants to feel heard and attended to.
Some facilities have different ratios at night versus during the day, which is expected and normal. Look for transparency about these numbers as you tour each community.
7. “Can My Loved One Age at Home Instead?”
Assisted living isn’t the only senior care option available. Your loved one could join the growing number of seniors who are “aging in place,” which means they’re staying at home during their later years.
Aging in place gives your loved one more freedom and autonomy over how they spend their time. They can keep their beloved home without having to adjust to a brand-new place full of other residents.
However, your loved one may have personal care needs that prevent them from being completely alone. In-home care providers bridge the gap and provide your loved one with the extra help they need.
If assisted living isn’t right for an aging parent or another loved one, in-home help is always an option.
Supporting Your Senior Loved One Through the Aging Process
Your support and confidence will make all the difference for the senior in your life. Consider all of the options available to you and allow your loved one to weigh in before making the final decision. Whether you choose in-home care or assisted living, your loved one deserves to thrive during their golden years.
If you or your family member is considering in-home care as part of a plan to age in place, contact Family Matters In-Home Care today for a free consultation. Our team is dedicated to supporting your family and helping older adults enjoy life in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.
Some of the services offered by Family Matter In-Home Care include: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, Bed & Wheelchair Transfer Assistance, Companionship, Housekeeping & Meal Preparation, Personal Care, Recovery Care, and Transportation.
Serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater San Diego, Family Matter In-Home Care has offices throughout California.
