With today's busy lifestyles, with many families relying on a dual (or more than dual) income, the old-fashioned solution of having aging family members come live with you when they reach their sunset years may prove problematic. Many elderly adults need a level of care family members simply cannot provide themselves.
When ti's time to find a retirement living community, the comfort of the aging family member is paramount. Making the transition can prove traumatic for many who have lived independently their entire adult lives, and selecting the proper facility can help ensure their golden years are happy and satisfying. When researching accommodations, keep thee following seven factors in mind to improve your chances of finding the perfect living arrangement for the one you love.
1. Scope Out the Location
Obviously, you prefer a facility closer to home for visiting purposes. But proximity to family is only one factor to consider. What part of town is the facility located in? What is the neighborhood like? What is the average ambulance response time, and where is the nearest fully-equipped hospital?
If the facility is in a bad neighborhood, this hinders your loved ones' ability to go outdoors. Research indicates time spent outside greatly benefits mental and physical health. When seconds count, as in a stroke, you don't want your loved one to suffer permanent harm due to long ambulance wait times.
2. Investigate Financing Options
Many families pay for their loved ones' care by selling the family home. If this is your plan for financing, consult with a qualified estate attorney or financial planner who specializes in elder care. They can help you stretch the value of any proceeds further and protect remaining assets.
Elderly individuals who lack financial means or property to sell may receive benefits through a combination of Medicare and Medicaid. While Medicare alone rarely covers nursing care except on an outpatient basis, Medicaid can help defray costs if a loved one qualifies. Many facilities have staff liaisons to help you apply for such resources, so seek out those which do if you're in need.
3. Enjoy a Meal at the Facility
No one relishes the thought of a lifetime of boring cafeteria food. Eating is one of few pleasures remaining to seniors, so when visiting, enjoy a meal at the facility. Does it taste homemade? Or like something heated in a microwave?
Talk with kitchen staff, too. How well do they honor dietary restrictions? For example, if your loved one suffers from celiac disease, eating food cross-contaminated with gluten can have negative health effects. What precautions do they take to honor residents' wishes and protect their safety?
4. Take Note of Varieties of Activities
One of the advantages of retirement communities is the variety of activities offered to get seniors socializing and moving. But what if your elderly family member doesn't find daily bingo and TV hours featuring old game shows the height of entertainment?
Exercise benefits both physical and mental health, so look for residences which provide workout facilities on site and group fitness classes. If your loved one suffers from arthritis or another pain condition that makes movement difficult, seek a community that offers aquatic exercise. When submerged to the chest, the water supports 80 percent of your body weight, making movement easier on sore hips and knees.
5. Evaluate the Grounds
The grounds of the facility can improve security and wellness, or they can dampen already blue moods. Seek out facilities with fenced outdoor areas where seniors with Alzheimer's can walk safely without fear of escape. Grounds should appear well-maintained, and staff should take care to clear away snow and ice during winter months to prevent falls. Unkempt grounds can indicate a facility experiencing financial difficulties or problems keeping maintenance staff on payroll.
6. Observe Staff Interactions With Patients
When you visit, observe how staff interact with other patients. Are they smiling and caring? Or do they project a cold, clinical or harried air? Underpaid and overworked staff often deliver lower standards of care due to mistakes made from sheer exhaustion.
Pay a visit during evening or weekend hours, too. If staff seems bare bones, consider this a red flag. Who will respond in an emergency situation if there's too low of a caretaker-to-patient ratio?
7. Engage All of Your Senses (Including Your Sixth)
Finally, when visiting, pay attention not only to what you see, but what you hear and smell as well. Excessively noisy facilities with screaming patients can impede your loved ones' ability to sleep. Isolated odors may indicate one incident, but a pervasive reek of body odor implies patient neglect.
Listen to your inner voice, too. According to personal safety expert Gavin de Becker, intuition always happens in reaction to something, and always protects your best interests. Even if you can't pinpoint the exact reason something feels off, listen to your feelings and look elsewhere if possible.
Finding the Right Home for Your Beloved Family Member
Making the move to a retirement community can prove stressful for many, but by making the right choice, you can greatly improve the quality of your loved ones' remaining years. Remember, one day your children may select your own senior abode — show your aging loved ones the same level of care you'll expect when it's your turn.
