How Do I Know if My Senior Is Getting Good Care at an Assisted Living Facility?
Making the decision to transition your elderly loved one to an assisted living facility is never easy. Of course, you want to find a nursing home with friendly, professional, and compassionate staff and the right level of care to suit your loved one’s needs. We’ll explain the steps you and your family should take to find the facility best suited to your loved one’s needs and ensure a smooth transition for everyone involved.
How to Find Professional Assisted Living Near Me
As you start to explore assisted living facilities in your area, prepare to spend time researching, comparing, and evaluating different facilities to find the right home for your elderly loved one, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Happy Senior living in Willow Haven Senior Homes
1. Determine Your Needs
The first step when searching for the right assisted living facility is assessing the levels of care your elderly loved one needs. For example, are they relatively independent and looking for an apartment-style facility? Do they have medical conditions that require intensive care?
Consider your budget, and make a list that separates the “luxuries” from the “necessities.” Once you determine your needs, narrowing down which long-term care facilities fit those criteria becomes more manageable.
2. Tour the Facility
After you narrow down your initial choices, it’s time to start touring. Don’t just look at the pictures on the website; visit each facility in person. Take a tour with your senior family member or loved one. First, check that it’s clean, professional, and has adequate safety measures, such as a sprinkler system or check-in desk. Take a walk around the grounds, too.
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
During your tours, ask about daily activities, speak to current residents, check out the kitchen, and look around everywhere. You may also want to request a one-on-one meeting with the facility’s manager or supervisor and have your list of questions ready ahead of time.
For example, you may want to ask if residents can walk the grounds, if there are community activities, what daily living is like at the facility, etc. Ask for a copy of the contract and read it carefully before making any commitments.
4. Familiarize Yourself with the Staff
Once you’ve chosen which assisted living facility best suits your loved one’s needs, take the time and effort to familiarize yourself with the staff. Remember, when your loved one transitions to a nursing home, the employees will become their new primary caregivers. It’s important to become friendly with the employees and medical professionals who will spend the most time with your loved one.
5. Pay Special Attention to Your Loved One’s Physical and Emotional Health
After your loved one transitions into their new home, paying close attention to their physical, emotional, and psychological health and well-being is vital. Check for signs of neglect, such as bruises or frequent accidents, dirty bedding or clothing, unexplained weight loss, etc. Unusual behavioral or personality changes are also red flags that could indicate a low quality of care or abuse.
6. Seek Professional Help if You Suspect Abuse or Neglect
Sadly, elder abuse in assisted living facilities frequently goes unreported. Abusers target weak or vulnerable populations, particularly those who are physically unable to reach out for help or report their abuse. The most common forms of abuse include physical, mental, emotional, and sexual abuse. However, financial exploitation and caregiver neglect can also occur.
If you believe your loved one has suffered abuse in their nursing home, speak up immediately. Ask for a supervisor, contact the local elder-care ombudsman who handles reports, or call the police and a lawyer.
Willow Haven Senior Living: Compassionate Nursing Home Near Me
If you’re searching for a “nursing home near me,” Willow Haven could be a good fit for your loved one. At Willow Haven Senior Living in Carmel, Indiana, we pride ourselves on offering patients and families the highest level of compassionate care.
Our facilities are state-of-the-art, with comfortable rooms, fun activities, and a staff of experienced medical professionals. We offer comprehensive assisted living solutions for your elderly loved ones, including Alzheimer’s and memory care.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us by calling (317) 207-0002 if you have any questions or want to know more about how we can help you and your loved ones. If you are planning to talk to your parents about assisted living, learn more about it here.