Have you decided that assisted living is the best choice for you, your partner, a parent, or another family member? This isn’t an easy decision to make and, after you’ve made it, you’ve then got the challenge of choosing the right senior living facility. To help you through this next stage, here are a few important things to consider when choosing an assisted living facility.
Location
When choosing the location of an assisted living facility, you may need to strike a balance. There are certainly benefits of moving your loved one into a facility close to where you live. This means it will be easier for you and other family members to visit them, helping to lift your loved one’s spirits and support their mental health while also making it less inconvenient for you to travel there.
However, this should not be the be-all and end-all. Don’t just choose the closest option even if it doesn’t provide what they need or if you have your doubts about it.
Services and amenities
You need to be able to assess the needs of your loved one so that you know what they require from senior living. Thoroughly research the services, facilities, and amenities provided by different senior living options to find the best fit.
The good thing about assisted living is that the services provided can often adapt to the needs of its residents as they age, so pay attention to all the services provided, even if your loved one doesn’t need them at this moment.
Size of the facility
There are a few factors to consider when it comes to the size of an assisted living facility. First of all, the physical size of the grounds and buildings. Are the accommodation options spacious enough to be comfortable and not too cramped? Is there enough outdoor space for your loved one to get exercise and fresh air? Or, if your loved one has mobility issues, is there a long distance between different facilities, or between their apartment and the dining facilities? Again, the physical size of a facility may require striking a balance.
Then you should also consider the number of residents and members of staff. If there is a low ratio of staff to residents, then you might want to question whether your loved one will have access to all the care and support they need, when they need it. If there is enough staff, purely the number of residents may also be a factor. Is your loved one a sociable person that would thrive in a facility with lots of residents to talk to, or would they prefer somewhere quieter?
Everyone is different when it comes to their senior living needs, so make sure you consider the specific needs of your loved one and talk to them to make sure they are included in the decision. If you’re looking for senior living in Woodruff, South Carolina, then contact Brookstone Terrace of Woodruff to find out more about our assisted living.