Assisted living facilities report a significant improvement in the quality of life. Constant care is available for seniors with all kinds of needs, be it social, medical or anything between. What’s more is that apartment-style of living is common is such centers for the privacy and comfort of residents, usually with the added benefit of housekeeping. For this reason, seniors are now more than ever willing to live in these facilities. If you’re an aged person who’s okay with the idea of living in an assisted living facility, you can choose among the thousands of assisted living facilities across the U.S. from an online directory.
According to the 2010 census, there were approximately 47 million seniors (aged 65+) living in the U.S., whereby 3.1% of them lived in nursing homes. This number has been increasing and it’s expected to rise in the coming years. This is because the perspective that many people had about nursing homes has changed.
How to Choose an Assisted Living Facility
With a broad array of assisted living facilities available, the sheer amount of choices can seem overwhelming. Nevertheless, making an ideal choice can be much easier when you begin your search well prepared. Think of the search process in these 2 steps:
1. Decide what your needs are
Before starting your search, you should be realistic about your current care needs, as well as your anticipated care needs. While you may only need housekeeping assistance and a grab bar in the shower now, you may need assistance showering and wheelchair access in the future. Ideally, it’s good to consider the assistance and safety features you need now and those you might need in the future, particularly if you have a progressive ailment, such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. Having dementia is a scary process, but getting the best care you can get can really help in the long run. Assured assisted living offers dementia care in Littleton, which if you have time to check out then it might be nice to consider the help they provide. The dry and warm climate may also be beneficial to the elderly.
Two other things that you should think about before searching an assisted living facility are your desires and preferences for a long-term residence. Some of the questions that you need to ask yourself are:
- Do you prefer a location near doctors or a major hospital?
- Do you desire one whose location is central to entertainment or shopping?
- Would you like to be near your children and grandchildren?
- What amenities (i.e. pools, art studios, movie theaters, spas, etc) do you wish to get easy access to?
- What other features (i.e. a patio, kitchenette, or extra bedroom), do you desire in your living space?
Moving from one assisted living facility to another is not only costly and burdensome, but it can also be physically and emotionally detrimental. Therefore, considering your care needs desires and preferences when choosing an assisted living facility will eliminate the need for moving from one facility to another and save you the trouble.
2. Assess Locations Using Multiple Resources
Luckily, there are many resources that you can use to find an ideal assisted living facility, including:
- Online directories: These are useful resources that contain listings of local facilities to choose from. The good thing about using a directory is that it enables you to use the location and living type filters to find the ideal facilities near you. They also enable you to view additional information about the facilities so you can know what to expect.
- Social media: One of the easiest ways of finding any information or getting reviews about a facility is through social media. You can seek answers from relevant pages on Facebook and you’ll certainly hear from many people who’ve dealt with different assisted living facilities.
- Long-term care ombudsman: The ombudsman for the facility’s local area or state is another valuable resource. An ombudsman will inform you of the facilities nearby and will be candid about any complaints against them.
Research and statistics for seniors indicate that seniors (individuals above 65 years) are estimated to double in numbers in the coming decades, reaching at least 98 million by 2060. If you aren’t a senior now, you sure will be one in future, that’s if you’re lucky to live that long. Once the time when your age debars you from the pastimes of your youth, you’ll need to be in a safe environment surrounded by caring people who’ll be happy to attend to your every need.
