August

Most of us would agree that there’s no place like home, and the comforts, convenience, and pleasant environment of home can continue when someone decides to move to assisted living accommodations. Helping aging parents find a residential situation that offers this kind of gracious living requires a little research, but it can be done. 

Here are some important observations to make and questions to ask yourself and/or staff when you're helping loved ones find assisted living:

• Is the assisted living facility in a safe, residential neighborhood? A secure environment will help preserve seniors’ ability to get out and about, and to stay active through walking exercise. A residential neighborhood offers the kind of community seniors are used to.
• Is the décor homelike, with comfortable furnishings and pleasant common areas? These create a pleasant place for relaxation, and encourage seniors to socialize and establish friendships.
• Are there outdoor areas and landscaping, so that residents can enjoy the outdoors and participate in the changing seasons?
• Do residents have privacy, keys to their own rooms, and the ability to come and go as they wish? These qualities contribute to seniors’ sense of independence and right to make choices for themselves.   
• Can residents have guests whenever they wish, and can guests participate in activities such as family game nights?

Naturally, not only are these assisted living characteristics important to seniors, but they offer peace of mind to those who are family caregivers and/or concerned family members.