Plan For Assisted Living

Making the decision for you or a loved one to move into an assisted living home is never easy. For some the feeling of giving up independence or the loss of dignity having to have someone assist in their care creates fear and frustration even when it is the right decision. When faced with this decision the most important thing is to do your research and select a place that eliminates those fears. Here are a few tips to help you find the perfect place you or a loved one can call home.

Make an appointment to tour the facility

Contacting the prospective facility gives you a glimpse into the staff and an indication of how the facility cares for people staying there and their family. How did you feel about the interaction? Were they courteous? Did they answer any initial questions you had? Were they accommodating to your schedule when setting up an appointment? If you emailed them, did they respond in a timely manner? If your experience left you with more fear and concerns than before, then the facility probably isn’t going to be the right fit. However, if you felt good about the person or persons you communicated with then it is time to prepare for the visit.

Visiting the facility

Upon arrival take a good look at the outside of the facility and it’s location. Is it appealing and inviting to you? Does the location feel safe? Does it feel like you are home? These initial feelings you have are what everyone coming to visit you or your loved one will have when they arrive at the facility. You should feel comfortable and curious to see what else the facility has to offer. At this stage your mind should be thinking “If it’s this nice outside, what’s it like inside?”. Your curiosity should be peaked and it’s time to move to the next step.

Taking the tour and asking A LOT of question

During your tour make sure you are taking notes about all the facility has to offer. Look around the common areas. Are they clean and inviting? Do other residents appear happy and enjoying themselves? What is the furniture and decor like? Is it cold and institutional or comfy and enjoyable? Notice what the other residents are engaged in. Are they talking to one another? Are they playing games, doing crafts? What sort of activities are happening around the facility and what type of events are lined up in upcoming days or weeks? Don’t be afraid to ask questions during your tour. It is the only way you are going to know if the facility is the right one. Lastly, ask if you can speak to other staff members other than the one giving you a tour. Ask if they enjoy working there and what activities they enjoy most with the residents. These types of questions allow you to see the commitment of the staff to the care of you or a loved one and what life will be like living there.

Conclusion

Finding the right place for you or a loved one can be a scary process. The goal should be to eliminate fears about the life change and embrace the opportunity to find a new home, new friends and new family. At New Day Cottages we truly believe our staff and residence are family and make every effort to ensure others feel the same way. If you are interested in learning more about New Day Cottages contact us and receive a helpful guide to choosing the right assisted living home. Also check out our list of helpful resources to research when making this decision.

We look forward to meeting you!