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Seeing our parents age and gradually become unable to carry out all the tasks that they used to complete independently can be a difficult experience. As an adult, seeing the relationship with parents change from being the person who was cared for to being the one doing the caring can be a challenging transition to make. For many people, the time comes when their parents are ready to move out of their home and enjoy the benefits of living in a senior living community. The big question is, how do you choose the best senior living facility for your elderly parent? Here are some tips to help you make an informed decision when choosing:
Don’t Make the Decision Alone
Deciding to move your parent into a senior living facility can be an agonizing choice for some people. However, it’s important to remember that this isn’t a choice you must always make on your own. If your parent has the capacity, it’s essential that they have a say in where they will be living and that their needs and opinions inform the final decision on where they live wherever practical.
If you have siblings or other close family members, you may also wish to discuss the decision with them to help you make a more informed choice and to make you feel under less pressure.
Consider Specialist Needs Your Loved One May Have
Choosing a senior living facility that is able to offer the right level of care and support for your loved one’s needs is absolutely essential. Ultimately, living in an environment that is tailored to meet their individual needs will help them to feel much happier and more settled in the living facility. Importantly, choosing a senior living facility that offers the right level of support for your loved one will also help to keep them much safer and provide you with the peace of mind that they are being well looked after.
Some senior living facilities are able to offer communities that are dedicated to providing high standards of care for seniors with specific conditions. For example, senior living communities that provide specialist memory care for adults with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.
Keeping the above points in mind will help you to choose a senior living facility that is the best fit for your loved one and any specialist needs they may have.
Carry Out Research
Carrying out careful research is an absolute must when you’re trying to choose the best senior living facility for your parent. The more research you carry out, the simpler it will be to make an informed decision and select the living facility that will offer the most suitable accommodation with the correct level of support for your loved one.
When carrying out your research, it is helpful to assess factors such as:
- Amenities available to residents - are there recreational facilities and outside areas for residents to enjoy?
- Accommodation - what standard and sizes of accommodation are available? Are pets allowed to live with residents? Are housekeeping services offered?
- Reviews and testimonials - what do other residents and their families think of the accommodation and care provided?
- Activities and enrichment - are there opportunities for residents to get involved in activities, such as sports, and hobby clubs, book groups, etc? Are trips and activities organized to enrich the daily life of residents
Assess the Practicalities
Carrying out plenty of research on the different senior living communities available is an excellent basis for making an informed decision. However, it is also vital that you look deeper into the practicalities of the decisions you make to ensure that you are really making the right choice.
There are many practical considerations to keep in mind when choosing a senior living facility. One of the most important practical considerations is assessing the location of facility and how far away it is. Choosing a senior living facility that is reasonably close to your home is helpful if you plan to visit regularly and spend time with your parent whenever possible.
Cost is another key practical consideration to keep in mind. Figuring out how much can practically be spent on your loved one’s care and assessing the fees for each senior living facility is important to avoid committing to spending more than you can afford.
Choosing the best senior living facility for your loved one can be challenging. However, considering your loved one’s specialist needs and assessing your options carefully will make it much simpler to make the best choice.
*contributed post*
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