Touring assisted living facilities is the best way to get a first-hand experience of what your loved one can expect if you choose that facility. However, just showing up at a facility and glancing around casually won’t help. There are certain things you should do to when touring assisted living communities in Long Beach to help you make an informed decision.
1. Plan Your Visit in Advance
Calling the facility in advance to ask what is a good day and time to visit is a good idea. If you have any special requests such as visiting during a meal time or early morning, make sure you ask. Better to know in advance rather than just show up presuming anything. By informing the facility in advance, they will make sure there is someone available to show you around.
2. Visit During An Activity
Visiting during an activity is the best time to see the interaction between the residents and caretakers. Does the atmosphere look cheerful? Do the caretakers encourage the residents to participate or do they leave them to themselves?
Take a look at the activity schedule. Do they have a fair number of activities scheduled during the week? What types of activities do they organize? Are these something your loved one would enjoy participating in?
Being a part of the community is crucial for residents of an assisted living facility so you want to make sure that your loved one will fit in.
3. Pay Attention to the Staff
Observe the staff as you tour the facility. Are they clean, friendly and helpful towards the residents? What is the ratio of the staff to residents? Do the staff look out for the residents at all times or do they tend to ignore them most times?
4. Check the facilities
Do the premises look clean and cheerful? Are the amenities senior-friendly? Are there hand-rails, wheelchair ramps and other such amenities in the common areas? What about the rooms? The bathroom is a high-risk area for the aged because they get wet and slippery. Are the bathrooms adequately equipped for seniors with safety in mind? These are things you must check as you tour the facility.
5. Raise Your Questions And Concerns
Have questions? Don’t hesitate to ask. Ask about their safety and security arrangements. Find out about how they handle medical emergencies. Are there registered nurses on the premises? Do they have an ambulance? Which is the nearest hospital? How many staff do they have on the premises at night? Don’t feel hesitant about getting clarification on just about anything you can think about. You want the peace of mind in knowing that your loved one is in good hands.
6. Get Feedback from Residents
The best way to do this is to strike up a casual conversation with residents and during the course of the conversation ask about their honest opinion. If you can contact their families, do that. Their experience dealing with the management and staff can give you valuable insight into how well the residents are cared for.
Last but not least, trust your gut instinct. No matter how good a facility may look and sound, it may not be the right one for your parent. Discuss the facilities you’ve toured with your loved one before taking a final decision.
