As a child, your parents were the ones who raised you and gave you everything you needed to grow up into the successful adult you are now. But as you were growing up, so were your parents. And there could be a time when they no longer care for themselves on their own.
It is now your turn to repay them by helping them with the hard decisions about their care as they become more elderly. This includes choosing the place where they will live in their golden years instead of being at home alone while you’re at work or focusing on building your own family.
Of course, you could always approach senior care consultants to help you with the decision-making process. You can trust these professionals because they have been in your shoes before and thus know how you feel about your parents.
But if you’re making this decision on your own, here are a few tips that you’ll need in choosing a good assisted living facility for your parents.
1. Location
You do not want to drive too far when driving to the care facility every day to check on your parents. Instead, choose one that is near you or in the area where they live already to eliminate the hassle of traveling long distances frequently. This way, they can still be close to their friends and family.
2. Assisted Living vs. Skilled Nursing
You want to give your parents the most freedom possible, which means you’ll be looking for an assisted living facility instead of a skilled nursing facility. You want to make sure that they will have their private room, but still be able to get help when they need it without having to stay in an entire hospital.
Additionally, with assisted living, your parents will still be able to preserve their independence and autonomy. They can cook their meals, have visitors, and do everything that they did when they still lived at home.
3. Amenities
You will want a place for your parents where they can finish the rest of their lives in peace. This is why you will need to check out the amenities offered by each assisted living facility. For example, look for one that is next to a health care professional who can make check-ups regularly. This way, your parents will receive the medical attention they need without having to drive too far.
4. Activities
Your elderly parents should be able to enjoy their lives in an assisted living facility, not just by being in a place where they will be taken care of. Look for a facility that offers many activities to keep your parents active and social when they are not resting.
Another thing you should consider is the other residents living there. They will be your parents’ friends and playmates, so make sure they are of the same generation as well as kind enough to befriend your parents.
5. Cost
Of course, you cannot forget about the cost of choosing an assisted living facility for your elderly parents. The price may not be the most important factor when choosing a facility for your parents, but you should still look at it to save yourself from unnecessary expenses in the future.
6. Bedroom Space
Your parents might have their bedroom or share one with another elderly resident. Understand the different types of bedroom spaces that an assisted living facility offers to determine what would be best for your parents.
7. Food
While you might not think about food when looking for a care facility for your parents, it is still something that should be considered. Food is an important part of an assisted living facility, so you should know what is being served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
8. Caregiver Interactions
You do not want your parents to feel like they are being ignored as the elderly residents of an assisted living facility. Look for a place where the staff and other elderly residents are not isolated from each other. This way, your parents will feel like they still have a family around them.
Companionship is an important part of senior care. The last thing you want your parents to feel is alone, so make sure that they will have the attention and company of other elderly people at the assisted living facility.
These are just some factors that come into play when choosing an assisted living facility for your elderly parents. Remember that the right place should not only be affordable but also give them a sense of security and peace of mind.
