If you’re considering assisted living for your loved one, you probably have questions about what life is like in these communities. Naturally, you want to be sure that your parent or loved one is spending their days in a warm, welcoming, and supportive place that puts their needs first.
How do you know if assisted living is the right option for them? You can begin by asking community-related questions that help you and your loved one narrow down options. Below are the answers to a few frequently asked questions (FAQs) about assisted living so you can get an idea of what kind of community best fits their lifestyle preferences.
1. Will my loved one have roommates, or are private residences available?
Most assisted living communities offer private apartments—and they can be quite tasteful and spacious. If a private living space is a top priority, make sure to tour communities that offer this type of living arrangement. When touring communities, you’ll want to look at the different floor plans and see all of the community’s private apartment options.
Comforts of Home
It’s also crucial for your loved one to enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle, so be sure to look at places that provide all the comforts of home. This includes:
- Spacious bathrooms designed for safety
- Convenient and accessible kitchenettes
- Well-appointed living areas
- Comfortable bedrooms
And don’t forget pets! If your loved one has a beloved pet, then a no-pets policy is a deal breaker. If it’s essential that your loved one takes little Sparky or Mittens with them when they start their next chapter, make sure the community you choose has a pet policy that agrees with them.
The Bottom Line
Assisted living often varies by community and location, so make sure you know what you’re looking for when you tour a community. For example, don’t assume that because one community is pet-friendly, the rest will be too. The same goes for apartment styles and floor plan options. Some assisted living communities may only have one floor plan to choose from, while others might have several.
2. What should I realistically expect from assisted living staff?
First and foremost, you should realistically expect assisted living staff members to make every effort to take the best possible care of your loved one. But “the best” can mean different things to different people, so let’s get a little more specific.
Observe Staff Behavior
When you tour an assisted living community, there are a few key things to look out for. Some of these observations are obvious, such as if you see an assisted living staff member being unkind or impatient. But others are less obvious. Kind and patient staff members are important, but you also want to make sure they provide your loved one with everything they need.
Try to take a deeper look at the personnel when you tour a community. Keep an eye on the staff, and ask yourself three basic but very important questions:
- Are staff members actively engaging with residents and calling them by name?
- Does it look like there are enough people on staff to take care of everyone?
- Are the residents who have greater needs, such as those in memory care, getting the attention they need?
If you can confidently answer the above questions with “yes,” your loved one is likely in good hands.
Ask Questions
Perhaps everything looks good on the surface. You hear staff members call residents by name, see a memory care resident receiving specialized care, and notice there seems to be staff on hand to ensure the well-being and safety of all the residents. These are all great signs.
But try to go beyond just looking. Ask. Community representatives should be more than happy to tell you about the staff-to-resident ratio, share caregiving policies, and explain in detail how they meet the needs of residents who need more care. Once you find the right person to talk to, you can really dig deep by asking about staff qualifications and if the needs of your loved ones can be met.
Staff members and tour guides are prepared to answer any number of assisted living FAQs in addition to more nuanced questions or specifics about the community. This can include asking questions about:
- Safety protocols and emergency procedures
- Staff with special training, such as care for Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
- The staff-to-resident ratio
- The amount of individual attention your loved one will get
Don’t be afraid to ask too many questions. You and your loved one are making an important decision, so ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable.
The Bottom Line
Keep looking, observing, and asking until you find the place with the right staff for your loved one. The best assisted living communities have staff members that take the time to get to know residents and their needs and treat everyone like family. They’ll welcome your questions, knowing how important this decision is for your family.
3. What types of activities are available for my loved one to participate in?
The types of activities and events assisted living communities offer can vary greatly. While many communities organize events such as regularly planned social outings, special entertainment, guest lecturers, access to church services, and special events, not all communities follow the same event calendar.
Some communities might offer limited options, while others go out of their way to make their communities unique by tapping into the talent and creativity of their residents. Encouraging access to hobbies and interests helps residents feel even more at home; they’re able to contribute their skills to bring joy to their fellow residents and fulfillment to their lives.
The Bottom Line
If it’s important to your loved one that they go to church every Sunday or that they still have opportunities to paint, make sure the community you choose embraces their preferences. They’re starting an exciting new phase of life and should be able to continue doing what’s important to them if they’re able.
4. How often can we visit, and are there areas available to host special events?
Any senior living community that discourages family interaction isn’t where you want your loved one to stay.
High-quality assisted living communities are devoted to keeping residents connected with their loved ones, and these days, residents can connect in a huge range of ways.
If family and friends aren’t local, your loved one’s assisted living community should help them connect long-distance using technology such as smartphones and tablets. As for in-person visits, most assisted living communities are thrilled to help facilitate such get-togethers, usually providing a designated area for special events such as birthdays and anniversaries.
The Bottom Line
Visits from friends and family members are a crucial part of life in assisted living, so if a community doesn’t encourage those connections, move along to the next community tour.
Assisted Living FAQs: The Bottom Line
The best decision for your loved one lies in the answers to your most pressing questions. Assisted living communities vary widely in terms of numerous features, including available floor plans, activity calendars, specialized care access, and much more. Be sure you’re inquiring about what’s most important to your loved one for them to maintain the lifestyle they desire. From assisted living FAQs to one-off questions about your loved one’s specific needs, staff members should be eager to help you find the answers you seek.
Knowing what to expect from a senior living community requires diligent research, and it always helps to have a reliable resource to turn to when you need additional information about inclusions and costs. Take a look at the Insider’s Guide to Understanding Assisted Living Pricing to get a clearer picture of what to expect when it comes to the cost of assisted living.
This post was originally published in August 2021 and updated in June 2024.
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