5 Things to Look for When Selecting an Assisted Living Community for Your Loved One

Making the decision to move a loved one into an assisted living residence (Community) can be difficult for some. Throughout my experience working in these Communities, I have seen various emotions that family members experience during this process. These emotions often include guilt, uneasiness, doubt, protectiveness, etc. The decision to begin looking at Communities usually arises when family members or adult children notice that the simplest daily activities have become too difficult for their loved one to perform and they are concerned about their loved one’s well-being, especially when home alone. When considering the option of an assisted living residence for a loved one, there are some important points to consider in ensuring trust is placed into the proper senior care professionals. In my experience, five points rank highest among families considering these Communities: (1) Assisted living facility staff demeanor; (2) Current resident satisfaction; (3) Communication with staff; (4) Meal selection and planning; (5) Community activities.

During discussions with family members who have searched for a Community for a loved one, one observation has been shared with me on numerous occasions – The demeanor of staff is a predictor of how they expect their loved one to be treated. When touring Communities, one should pay attention to how they are greeted by staff – Does staff verbally greet you with a smile? Is staff engaging and friendly? One factor which impacts the happiness and productiveness of staff is the level of appreciation conveyed by Community administrators/management, and by Community residents and their families. A whole Community which values its staff and communicates this often will reinforce the Community partnership. This partnership positivity resonates throughout the Community and, in turn, greatly affects the relationships between staff members and residents. The appreciation of staff also leads to less turn over and more committed employees with longevity. Having committed staff members gives staff the opportunity to build truly special relationships with their residents, making everyone feel secure and comfortable in their environment. Observing staff interactions with visitors and residents will reveal a great deal about how one can expect a loved one to be treated.

While touring, don’t be afraid to interact and talk with existing residents. Who better to talk to about the Community than those who already live there? And they certainly can be expected to tell the truth about their experiences in the Community. Gathering first-hand information can be very comforting to a family member in knowing the right decision is being made for a loved one. Receiving these “insider tips” on the best meals or activities is a more personal way to gain insight and to weigh the benefits of life in the Community. Plus, this is a great opportunity to meet with an individual who might help a loved one connect with the Community.

Another point often brought to my attention is the desire for the Community administrators and managers to have an open-door policy. Meaning, do the administrators, managers and staff make themselves easily available, and are they always willing to talk with family members about the care of a loved one? Communication is critical in ensuring a resident is getting proper and personalized care. Being readily available and responsive displays the Community’s commitment to the great responsibility of caring for their residents. From the family member’s point of view, knowing they are welcome and can walk right in and get answers to questions, or express concerns to the administration, builds on the cornerstone of trust between family members and the Community. Open communication is a major factor in the making of a great Community.

I have been told by family members who are exploring assisted living for a loved one that a significant concern is the loved one’s lack of nutrition. Family members are often concerned their loved one no longer cooks for themselves because the tasks of shopping and preparing food have become too difficult. Family members often tell me their loved one is eating too many TV dinners, or cans of soup, and they are no longer getting the proper nutrition at home. Assisted living residences provide meals for residents, but the definition of a “meal” can be much different from Community to Community. Finding a Community that provides a good variety of nourishing food consisting of balanced amounts of protein, carbohydrates, and fresh vitamin rich produce is the catalyst to maintaining the health and care of the resident. As we age, even eating can become a difficult task, and of course proper nutrition is very important to the aging body. Some residents require special diets due to health reasons; so one should make sure the Community can and will accommodate these special diets, if this is the case. Many Communities encourage prospective residents and family members to try the food as part of the tour. This is also a great way to see and taste what is being served.

Being alone at home for most of the day with no one to talk to is another common reason for looking into assisted living. Family members often are concerned about depression caused by loneliness. Many studies show the link between positive effects on health and socialization. A great Community provides and encourages enriching daily activities in which residents can participate. These activities lead to forming friendships and interaction amongst peers. When selecting a Community, it is important to look at the activities calendar to see what activities are offered and, if possible, to watch some activities in action. Having an Activities Director on staff that positively interacts and encourages participation in a variety of activities is a great asset for a healthy and thriving Community.

In considering and selecting an assisted living residence, a true Community, taking these 5 points into consideration will help guide the decision making process in finding a Community to call home.