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Senior Care and Elderly Assisted Living Resources
Visit the site in person, if at all possible. If you are considering a facility in another state, have a family member or friend make an initial visit for you, but see the facility yourself before making a decision.
If possible, make two visits to the facility, one by appointment and one unannounced. At every facility, whether a nursing home or a CCRC, you should be greeted with courtesy and respect. In every type of community, residents and staff should appear happy and involved.
A homelike atmosphere is important because the facility is home to those who live there. Easy interaction between residents and staff is critical. The presence of animals, a pet cat or dog, is another good sign.
Eat a meal or two in the dining room. If you are considering a CCRC, visit the kitchen that prepares the meals for residents who wish to eat in their own apart-ments. Ask the dining manager to see sample menus. How are food allergies and food preferences handled? Do residents have any say in menu decisions? In living areas, you should see actual rooms or apartments, not just a model. In a CCRC, you should look at storage areas and garages to make certain that the space avail-able to you meets your needs. Storage areas are especially important if you are moving from a house to an apartment. Most of us vastly underestimate the amount of stuff we have. Participate in a few activities and meet your potential neighbors. If you don't like the residents, you won't be happy in the community. Ask for a calendar of the community's activities and events and a directory of organizations and social groups that meet.
It is important to find out what kind of interaction there is between the facility and the greater community. Do any residents work part-time, volunteer in the town, or attend local religious services? Conversely, do local residents volunteer in the facility? Are religious services held at the facility? How about meetings of local civic organizations to which residents might belong?
Any facility should promote independence and wellness on behalf of residents. Residents should have the right to make choices about large and small matters, including meal times, noise levels, visits from grandchildren, and entertainment of friends. Make a point to find out what the community's rules are.
Aged care is a regulated industry, and you should be aware not only of the facility's rules and regulations, but also the state's regulations about the way that facilities are managed. Search more information >>
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