Visiting Assisted Living Homes

In your search for the right assisted living facility, of course you will be visiting your top prospects in person to get a feel for the whether the place will meet your needs or the needs of your loved one. To help you determine if a home is a good fit for your loved one who needs some assistance in order to maintain their level of independence, you will need to see the place, meet some of the people who live and work there, and ask some questions. To help you get started here are some suggestions to guide you through a visit.

  • As you approach the assisted living home
    Is the entrance on a low-traffic street?
    How does the exterior appear, fresh paint, nicely kept landscaping, clean sidewalks, etc.
    Do the doors open and close easily?
  • When you enter the lobby
    Does the lobby have an inviting atmosphere?
    Are there residents engaged in activity or sitting or sleeping in the lobby?
    Is there a receptionist to greet you and ask you to sign in?
    How long do you have to wait for a tour?
  • Touring the public areas
    How long are the hallways, and are there places to sit and rest along the way?
    Are there activities in progress? Are they well-attended, and are the residents engaged?
    Ask to see the activities calendar
    Are there flexible meal times? Are there options at meal times? How is the seating arranged? Are you invited to stay for a meal?
    Ask if new residents have someone assigned to them to introduce them to other residents at meal times and activities

These are some of the things to look for when you are visiting prospective assisted living homes. In our next article we will continue with our checklist to help you make this important decision.

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