There are many considerations when choosing the right assisted living community for yourself or a loved one. Choosing the right path for the future comes with many questions and concerns.
When you or an aging loved one can no longer live on their own, it may be time to consider assisted living. Assisted living is similar to independent living but with a few key differences.
We’ll explain what it means to move to assisted living and suggest a list of questions to ask as you look at your options.
What is Assisted Living? Is it the Right Fit?
The very heart of assisted living is providing older adults with personalized care in a residential community. Some seniors aren’t ready for skilled nursing or advanced residential care yet but may need help with one or more Activities of Daily Life (ADLs), such as toileting or managing medications.
Assisted living communities are built around offering the level of care residents need while still encouraging them to live an active and social lifestyle.
Some common supports in an assisted living setting may include:
- Medication management
- Housekeeping
- Meals
- Transportation services
- Laundry
- Assistance using the bathroom
- Dressing and grooming
Assisted living communities often have social activities and programs designed to help residents live wholesome lifestyles. You or your loved one may be given an individualized service plan to meet certain areas of need and ensure that care caters to their exact requirements.
Questions You Should Ask an Assisted Living Facility
1. How Does Your Community Welcome a New Resident?
The first days and weeks in a new community can significantly impact how you or your aging loved one feels about their new home. Ask the assisted living team about what you can expect — along with support systems in place for adjusting to a new environment.
You’ll want to ensure that assisted living staff gets to know their new residents and makes an effort to welcome newcomers. Ask about what type of engagement you can expect, what questionnaires they may have to better understand their residents, and how much time staff will spend with new community members during the first few weeks.
2. What Kind of Training Does Your Team Undergo?
You want what’s best for yourself or your aging loved one, which means asking about what type of training staff undergoes to work in the community. A well-educated and certified staff helps facilitate satisfied and happy living.
Ask about company compliance standards and whole-person care. Listen to what the assisted living team has to say about its philosophy, orientation practices, and evaluations. You can also ask about the number of team members in each department, such as nursing, social activities, kitchen, therapy, and more.
3. How Many Residents Do You Have?
Similarly to getting to know the staff’s capacities, you can ask about the community’s number of residents. This can point out any red flags that may emerge in facilities with too few staff and too many residents.
4. Do You Have Staff on-Site 24/7?
Assisted living facilities typically have teams that work both day and night to ensure the health, wellness, and happiness of residents. However, it may be worth asking what type of personnel will be available 24/7. You can include questions about bathing care, dressing, medication management, and even nursing practitioners.
Ask about which staff are on-site or on-call during non-business hours in case of an emergency, and make sure you know how to reach them and how they can reach you.
5. What Kind of Meal Services Do You Offer?
When looking for an assisted living facility, ask about the dining choices. This includes meal plans, menu options, and meal locations, such as cafeterias, cafes, snack shops, or dining rooms.
A good assisted living community will offer dietary accommodations and plenty of options.
6. What Types of Activities Are Available?
One of the more popular routes assisted living communities take is implementing a monthly activities calendar or schedule to encourage residents to be engaged and active. Ask about what types of activities are offered.
Some places encourage residents to have a say in activity planning through questionnaires, suggestion boxes, or activities committees. You’ll want to make sure the staff actively pursues the residents’ input while also offering opportunities for growth. Look for activities that are intellectually engaging, physically active, sociable, or even spiritual.
7. How Much Say Do Residents Have?
Besides social activities, ask about how much influence residents have in their care plans, activities, meal preparation, and more. Does the assisted living facility have a Resident Council? What about Town Hall meetings that engage residents, staff, and even family members in the community’s future?
It’ll help your loved one feel safe and respected if they have input over their environment and care.
8. What Role Does Family Play?
Another important question concerns family. The community should not only allow but also encourage visits, volunteer opportunities, and even participation in social activities. Can families meet with various departments and staff to discuss matters concerning their loved ones? Does the family have any say in their parents’ preferences or needs?
9. How Do You Track Residents’ Happiness?
One of the biggest indicators of a thriving assisted living environment is how well it measures resident satisfaction. Many facilities offer surveys or small groups to gain perspective into the overall well-being of the community.
Ask to see a sample of the survey. If possible, meet with current residents to get an idea of how much they enjoy their home.
10. How Do You Foster a Sense of Community?
Ask about what type of relationship staff and residents have, how they get to know one another, and what type of group or personalized engagement residents can expect.
An assisted living facility should have both formal and informal ways of creating a sense of community.
11. What Security and Safety Measures Do You Have in Place?
A comprehensive safety protocol should include features such as secure entry points, emergency response systems, and regular safety drills to prepare for various scenarios. Are residents given an emergency call button to wear? Are there regular check-ins? These measures are designed to provide peace of mind to you and your loved one.
To keep everyone safe at all times, ongoing efforts should also include regular staff training, well-lit common areas, and monitoring systems.
12. How Do You Ensure Comprehensive Medical Care and Support For Residents?
Address concerns around whether staff are trained to care for residents with memory loss or Alzheimer’s, administer medication processes, and whether nurses or in-house physicians are available.
13. What Types of Care Do You Offer?
Understanding the types of care offered by a senior living community can help you determine whether it can meet your loved one’s current and future needs. Different communities provide various levels of care, such as independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing.
Understanding your options helps you assess whether the community can accommodate changes in health or mobility over time. This question also allows you to understand the scope of services available and whether they can be tailored to your loved one’s unique needs.
14. What is Your Staff-to-Resident Ratio?
The staff-to-resident ratio directly affects the quality of care and attention your loved one will receive. A lower ratio means more personalized care and quicker response times to residents’ needs.
Also, ask about staff availability during day and night shifts to make sure your loved one has access to assistance at all times.
15. What Medical Services are Available On-Site?
Asking about on-site medical services helps you rest assured that your loved one will have access to necessary healthcare without needing to leave the community. On-site medical services can include regular visits from doctors, physical therapy, pharmacy services, and emergency medical care. Such availability allows prompt attention to your loved one’s health issues and a continuity of care, which are especially important for managing chronic conditions or unexpected medical needs.
16. How Do You Handle Medical Emergencies?
It’s important to understand the protocols in place for responding to on-site emergencies, including the staff’s training and preparedness. Additionally, the community’s proximity to hospitals can significantly impact the response time and quality of care in critical situations.
17. What is the Process For Creating a Personalized Care Plan?
A well-tailored care plan takes into account the unique blend of your loved one’s medical history, daily routines, personal interests, and specific health requirements. An individualized approach means that care is both comprehensive and respectful of your loved one’s lifestyle, thereby encouraging a higher quality of life.
18. What’s Your Policy On Pets?
Understand the assisted living facility’s policy regarding pets and whether there are any exceptions depending on the level of care (such as memory care).
19. What are the Costs and Billing Procedures?
Get a detailed explanation of the total costs, payment options, and billing process so you won’t be surprised with unexpected bills or invoices.
20. What are the Transportation Options Available for Residents?
Some places provide scheduled shuttle buses that take residents to local supermarkets, banks, or other errand-style places. Many have specific medical transport for off-site doctor appointments.
Find out, too, whether private transportation is available for residents who need to go somewhere.
21. Are There Any Restrictions on Personal Belongings or Room Modifications?
These policies help you assess whether the community allows enough flexibility for your loved one to bring cherished items that make their living environment feel more like home. Since many older individuals will be moving from much larger spaces, like houses, to smaller apartments, you should know ahead of time what furniture can be brought over and what you’ll have to buy.
Knowing about room modification limitations will also help you plan for mobility aids or other personal needs.
22. How Do You Handle Conflicts or Complaints?
In an ideal world, your loved one would move in, and all would be well. In the real world, there may be conflicts between residents or staff members. Your loved one may have complaints about something. Find out how these are handled.
23. Can You Provide References or Testimonials From Current Residents and Their Families?
The staff shouldn’t hesitate to offer you a list of references you can check.
Assisted Living Facility Tour Tips
Touring potential assisted living facilities can bring up a lot of emotions for everyone involved, especially if you’re touring more than one.
Here are some tips to keep in mind during the touring process so you can make the most out of each experience.
- Show up at least 10 minutes early so you can passively observe the community without being “solicited.”
- Talk to residents or family members while touring to gain additional perspective.
- Ask to see the most recent state survey.
Choosing the Right Assisted Living Facility
Choosing the right assisted living community can feel like a never-ending search. Hopefully, these questions will provide insight during your visits and tours, helping you or your aging loved one identify the best residential environment.
For those in the Midwest, contact New Perspective today to schedule a tour of one of our beautiful communities.