Essential Checklist: What to Consider for Assisted Living

More than 800,000 seniors have transitioned to assisted living according to the latest reports, and that number is expected to grow significantly in the years to come. As the demand for assisted living increases, more communities are becoming available. At the same time, these communities are expanding and adjusting their services and amenities to better meet the diverse needs and expectations of their residents.

If you’re considering moving to an assisted living community, finding the right one is essential. It’ll affect your quality of life and how well you enjoy your retirement years. You can use the following assisted living checklist to help you find a community that’s a perfect fit for your lifestyle and needs both now and in the future.

Available Services

One of the main factors to look into is the services assisted living communities offer. Those might include maintenance, housekeeping, laundry, help with meal preparation, assistance with everyday activities, and transportation to name a few. Think about how much assistance you need and how likely your needs are to grow moving forward. Try to find a community that offers the services you need now and those you’ll need as you age.

Medical Care

Obviously, medical care is also an important aspect to consider. Virtually all assisted living communities offer some level of on-site medical care and access to off-site physicians, but some of them may not provide care that meets your distinct needs. Finding one that provides medical care that’s tailored to the individual needs of its residents would be ideal.

Consider the types of medical care you need and any specialty care you require now or might in the future. If you’re in the early stages of dementia or at risk of developing this condition, you’ll need to find a community that can accommodate your changing needs. Look into the community’s proximity to outside healthcare providers and the level of around-the-clock emergency care it makes available as well.

Extra Amenities

Aside from essential services and medical care, consider the extra amenities different communities have to offer. Those could include onsite salons, spas, and fitness programs. Dining options, activities, classes, and social events enter the mix too. Some communities offer planned outings as well. Which amenities fit into your lifestyle? Would you like to branch out and try new experiences? Answering both of those questions can help you find a community that meshes with your expectations.

Staff and Training

Another crucial factor to explore is the level of training staff members have. Ask about their experience, qualifications, and certifications. Those credentials will make a significant difference in the care and service you receive. That’s the case with all staff members from caregivers and nurses to social workers and therapists. Each position in an assisted living community requires different types of certifications, so be sure the communities you’re considering only hire staff members who are fully qualified.

Look into their staff-to-patient ratios as well. That will further impact the quality of care and attention you receive. Though the requirements vary by state and other factors, the average is 1:8 during the daytime and slightly lower at night.

Finding the Right Assisted Living Community for You

Those are some of the main factors to consider when you’re looking for an assisted living community to call home. Location is also important. Do you want to remain close to loved ones, or do you have your sights set on a specific retirement destination. Another detail to consider is whether the community offers fully furnished living spaces or you’ll need to bring your own furniture and appliances. Weigh those aspects against the other factors listed here to help you find the right assisted living community.

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