A Guide to Touring and Choosing an Assisted Living Facility
Touring an assisted living facilty in person enables you to see things firsthand, and begin to make connections to the facility staff who will be caring for your loved one.
Once you decide your loved one needs to move to an Assisted Living community, choosing the best facility for them is the next step. As with any housing decision, taking a tour is an important part of the process. (Keep in mind that depending on your loved one’s stage of illness, you may or may not have them attend the tour with you.)
Here are some key areas to think about ahead of the tour.
Take the Tour!
While preliminary research online or guidance from a placement advisor are valuable, and even if it’s the only place in town, it’s still important to take a tour in person. This allows you to see things firsthand and begin to make connections to the facility staff who will be caring for your loved one.
Pay attention to cleanliness, smell and the condition of the property and its furnishings.
Take time to observe the staff and their interactions with the residents.
While you should schedule a tour, you may also want to drop by unannounced at various other times of the day to get a sense of the community when it is not “on display.”
What do they mean by “Assisted”?
No two Assisted Living or Memory Care facilities are the same. Understanding what the assisted living can provide as your loved one’s care needs increases can help guide you with deciding what place is the best fit. Some communities offer a limited range of care. For example, not all assisted living facilities have memory care, so if this need arises it might necessitate a move. On the other hand, some assisted living options are equipped to support your loved one aging in place and may recommend utilizing a hospice provider as an added layer of support.
Ask about staffing ratios and tenure.
Typical staffing ratios will range but ask about the number of staff per resident. Then compare to other facilities within your local community.
Tenure is often short so ask and see if instead you have found a place where the team stays in place longer. Typically, that is a sign of responsive leadership.
Check in with the staff
Say hi to staff members on your tour! Do they seem happy to be at work? A friendly and helpful staff member who’s eager to talk to you will continue to show this level of care to your loved one. Inquire about staff-to-resident ratios to ensure there are enough caregivers available to meet the needs of all residents. An appropriately staffed assisted living will most likely have less turnover as well. Ask about staff tenure to get a sense of team member satisfaction. When touring memory care inquire what additional training their staff are required to receive.
Speak with current residents and the families of current residents.
One of the biggest guarantees that your loved one will be happy and well cared for is if the other residents are happy. During the tour you will surely engage with some of the residents. You may have to ask to be connected to a family member, but often there are family member support groups or “councils” that you can connect with.
Sample the food!
While on a tour, if you’re offered an opportunity to sample a meal, say yes! And if not, ask to come back at mealtime. This is a great opportunity to meet fellow residents and staff members while also getting a chance to taste the cuisine. Getting a chance to converse with residents and staff members at mealtimes is a great way to learn more about the community from the perspective of those who are living and working there.
Additionally, don’t forget to ask about dietary accommodations, menu alternatives, and daily or weekly menu variations.
Transportation
When it comes to transportation, some things to consider are:
Is transportation provided in-house or by an outside provider?
What types of trips are included (doctor’s appointments, shopping, or family visits)?
How far does the transportation service area extend?
If your loved one needs an escort, does the community provide this?
How far in advance does a ride need to be scheduled?
How often are community outings scheduled?
Safety, hygiene, infection control
Community access: Ask about how the facility manages the coming and going of both visitors and residents. As your loved one’s illness advances it will be important to know they have processes in place to keep residents safely inside the facility.
Falls: A major risk that increases as we age. Ask about safety features available in the facility.
Many facilities will offer rooms with pull cords in the bathroom, but safety is a concern no matter where your loved one is in their room or around the community. While some facilities offer a mobile personal response device, most do not. You may want to consider purchasing your own.
Cleaning services: Most facilities will offer a range of typical cleaning services for individual apartments. Ask about frequency policies, products used, and what areas are cleaned.
Infectious disease: Since COVID-19, we all know how important infection control is. Ask about what protocols are put in place and how this may affect your ability to visit with your loved one should the community reach an “outbreak status”.
Social and spiritual needs
Most communities offer an activity of events calendar. These are typically accessible on the community website. Look for a wide variety of events offered that will suit the social, spiritual, and wellness needs of your loved one. Specialized cognitive programming should also be outlined for memory care settings.
Health care options/therapy
Ask about the availability of healthcare services on-site or nearby, including healthcare professionals, medication management, and physical therapy. More and more facilities are arranging to have physicians or advance practice nurses “on staff” and available for appointments in the comfort of their room.
Policies
Every community has its own set of policies and regulations. Policies can vary on things from alcohol consumption, smoking, dress code, wheelchairs, pets, and visiting hours. Inquire about policies to know if this community is the right fit for your loved one.
This content made possible through the contributions of Kirsten DeAngelis.
Please talk with your own/loved one’s healthcare provider before using any of this information.
