Assisted living offers seniors who require assistance with daily activities an ideal solution, while at the same time offering them a sense of community and social connections – something which may prove particularly helpful for those suffering from dementia or cognitive impairments.
Transitioning to assisted living facilities can be an enormously daunting experience for older adults, so it’s crucial that you select one that’s the ideal match for them.
Choosing the Right Facility
Identify the ideal assisted living facility: When seeking care for aging parents or loved ones who require assisted living facilities, selecting the appropriate location is of vital importance. Care must be taken in choosing an assisted living center as this process must be undertaken with precision and diligence.
Staff, residents, and common areas all play an essential part in determining whether a community is an ideal match for you or your loved one. Therefore, don’t be shy – ask plenty of questions!
Before signing any contracts with healthcare facilities, be sure to read them thoroughly and understand its provisions regarding fees, services offered and admission/discharge policies.
An important element of visiting facilities personally is getting an inside glimpse of their atmosphere and speaking with staff about how they interact with residents.
Your loved one needs a facility that fosters a sense of community to ensure they feel secure and at home in their new environment. Group activities, volunteer opportunities and social events should all play a part in making life enjoyable.
Getting Started
Once you’ve decided to move your parent into an assisted living community, the process of transition can be complex and confusing. You must determine what level of care is appropriate and understand all associated costs before beginning this endeavor.
As a starting point, reading through your state’s regulations on assisted living facilities and verifying any complaints against particular ones are good places to start. Many states offer online facility complaint databases or can show you their recent licensing report.
Step two should involve visiting multiple facilities and meeting with administrators, staff and residents to assess cleanliness and orderliness; friendlyness of staff members; atmosphere/ambiance.
Respite Care
Caring for an elderly loved one can be an exhausting job that takes much of your energy. Respite care offers caregivers an opportunity to take a breather from their duties and get some much-needed rest.
An effective respite program provides your loved one with the chance to interact with people who share similar interests and abilities – this will benefit not only them but you as their primary caregiver as well.
Respite care programs can be found at assisted living facilities, nursing homes and adult day care centers. These programs typically feature group meals, activities and entertainment for socialization.
Your loved one may be reluctant to enroll in a respite program, but doing so could be a great way to relieve their stress and free up more of your time for other pursuits. Start searching early for one in your area.
Alcohol Policy
Alcohol policy in assisted living is a complex matter that involves aspects of public health, human rights and legal frameworks. One key consideration for alcohol consumption should be individual benefits versus risks.
Public health policies advocate for the reduction of risks; human rights guidelines recognize that alcohol may provide seniors with important and pleasurable experiences. Assisted living facilities must also take into account any harm alcohol can do to the wellbeing and quality of life for older residents.
Despite these risks, many assisted living communities permit alcohol consumption during meals or special events; some facilities even require their residents to obtain written approval from a physician prior to being permitted to consume alcohol.