Choosing a good senior facility is not always easy, especially if there are plenty of them where you live. But, if you know what to look for and know how to identify certain red flags, you should be able to find a great place for yourself or a relative pretty fast. You will first need to look at what your needs are and what you can afford. You can then start narrowing down your selection until you find one that works. Let’s take a look at some of the signs that you may have found the senior living facility of your dreams.
The Staff Seems Genuinely Happy to be There
One of the clearest signs that you’re at a good senior home is the relationship the staff has with the residents. Go there during the day and check how nurses and other staff members are interacting with the people there. If you notice that people are interacting and having fun or you notice that the staff is taking extra precautions to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents, then this is a good sign.
The Food is Delicious
Most senior homes will allow you to attend a food service to see what it’s like, and you should never pick one before checking the quality of the food. Even if everything else is great, you’ll feel miserable if the food is horrible, so at least attend the food service once and take the time to look at the menu as well. If you have any dietary restrictions, make sure that you let people know during your visit and ask if they can accommodate you. Make sure that you look at the kind of variety you will get on the alternative options, however, as you don’t want to have to eat the same thing virtually every day.
It’s in the Perfect Location
You also have to make sure that the location is close enough to visit if you’re searching for a home for a loved one. We do understand, however, that not everyone has a multitude of senior facilities where they live. If this is your case, then you may need to look for facilities in surrounding bigger cities. If you live somewhere like Casa Conejo or Westlake Village CA, for instance, then you could go for a senior facility with assisted living in Thousand Oaks CA. Look within 20 km from where you are, and only pick facilities within that radius unless you have no other option.
There’s a Real Sense of Community
Last, but not least, you should check if you feel like everyone is part of a community or if everyone seems to be doing their own thing. You should also check what type of activity they have for residents. Some will have activities every night, while others will do the strict minimum so make sure that you know what their approach is towards activities and what you can expect.
These are all things that will let you know that you’ve found the best senior living facility for you. Take the time to visit a few places, ask as many questions as you can, and don’t hesitate to speak with a few residents as well.
