Searching for the perfect assisted living facility can seem overwhelming at times, leaving you scratching your head and wondering where to turn to next. You may have many facilities to choose from which can make the task of finding the right senior care choice for you and your family even more difficult.
Many people fear making the wrong choice. And although mistakes are inevitable, we’ll look at the five most common mistakes so you can avoid them as you work towards making the best senior care choice possible for your parents.
Mistake #1: Choosing a facility based on your needs instead of your parents’
Since your parents’ will be living within the chosen assisted living community, it becomes their home and it’s very important they be happy with the choice that’s made. They’re giving up everything they have known; the family home and all the memories that go with it. It’s important their wishes be taken into consideration when senior care options are being considered.
Ask your parents how they feel about each assisted living community and then stop and really listen to their answers.
Mistake #2: Not doing the proper research
After looking at quite a few different facilities, you may begin to feel they all appear to provide the same amenities and services. And on the surface, this is true, because they are controlled by state regulations that require them to provide certain services to their residents.
Look a little deeper.
Look for things that one facility may provide that another may not. Transportation for instance. Do they provide any type of transportation for the residents? What individualized services do they provide?
Then spend some time in the facilities you are considering. Do the residents in the facility seem happy and well-cared for? Do the employees enjoy their interactions with the residents, or is it just a job to them? Is the facility well-maintained? These are important things to look at before making the final decision.
Mistake #3: Choosing a facility based on current needs instead of future needs
Just as your parent is no longer able to adequately provide for their own needs and must move from the family home into an assisted living community, the time may eventually come when they need more care yet again. When this happens, it’s much easier for them if the community can provide this next stage of senior care, such as that found in a continuing care retirement community. They will be surrounded by familiar faces and the friendships they have established within the community will still be available to them as they move within the senior care community.
Mistake #4: Rushing a decision
Unless circumstances dictate that your parent must move immediately, don’t rush into a decision. Take the time you need to make the right decision for your parents. You want them to be happy and safe, so do your due diligence and make sure you find the assisted living community that will best meet those needs.
Mistake #5: Not consulting with a professional
Standards within the senior care industry are constantly changing and it would be hard for you to keep up with the latest if you don’t work within the industry. Therefore, it only makes sense to turn to someone who is trained to help you make the best decision for your parents. They will save you a lot of time, money and heartache.
In closing, to avoid the five most common assisted living search mistakes:
- Remember, your parents’ needs override your own
- Do your research
- Anticipate future needs
- Take the time you need to make the right decision
- Consult a professional
As you strive to make the best assisted living choices for you and your family, you don’t have to make the journey alone. Long Term Living Association’s Senior living facility placement specialist, Dina Frauwirth, help navigate the terrain. Dina is a Certified Senior Advisor who will steer you around the pitfalls, guide you and empower you in your senior care choices. Ready to learn more? Schedule an appointment with Dina Frauwirth at Long Term Living Association today.
nior Living Facility Placement Advisor