What to consider when evaluating senior living facilities

•   Aug. 24, 2021
•  Senior living articles 

Making the decision to move your senior loved one into a senior living community can be an emotional decision. Families want what is best for the senior and knowing what to ask and look for is critical in making the transition smooth. With decades of senior care experience and 100,000+ family members connected, ViewClix is uniquely able to provide advice and insight to families making this transition. Read our tips below to ensure a smooth move-in process. 

1. Location, Location, Location
• Proximity to family can be the #1 factor for most when helping a senior move into a community. Being close enough to visit frequently can make the transition easier on the senior. The family should consider their own lifestyle and the importance of convenience. A 30 minute drive does not seem very long, until you consider the kids have practice, rehearsal, and dinner/chores still need to be completed. A 5-10 minute drive will make it more likely the senior gets to see family and also does not place a huge time burden on family members
• Consider how close they are to their primary care doctors. With frequent check-ups needed, doctors' visits can become an all day affair if there is a commute. This can be especially true if they require a specialist. Being near a major hospital is always a plus too. 
2. Amenities!
• Aging should never mean less opportunities, it should mean more! Ask the facility what clubs and organizations they have available to join. Sometimes facilities will have dedicated organizations who come and lead activities weekly for the residents, such as bands or bingo nights. A senior might find having a chapel or faith group available very important to them. Residents are starting to live more active lifestyles and this means they have access to gyms, trails, and other exercise opportunities, ask the facility what they offer. 
• Technology! There are many technologies available that can increase senior's independence, quality of life, and allow them to stay connected to family. Ask the facility what technology they offer for residents, they might have a computer lab or even technology focused classes. Do they have an IT person on staff to help with any questions? The majority of devices require a WIFI connection now, so ask if there is a shared WIFI or if private WIFI is available in each room. Many facilities are recommending ViewClix frames to their residents' families as a way of staying connected to their senior loved ones
3. Staff and Caregivers
• Forming a relationship with the individual(s) who will be assisting your aging loved one can provide the family peace of mind. Having a liaison and direct connection to provide you updates on how they are doing is a must. Talk to other residents and their families about the caregivers and their personal experiences. Observe how they treat you upon arrival and the moods of the residents around you. 
• Look into administrator availability, as success starts from the top down. Ask how long caregivers have been with the facility. Seniors thrive on structure and consistency. Having a revolving door of caregivers is a red flag and can make the transition harder for your senior.
• A key metric to ask for is staff to resident ratio. Ask if this ratio also includes administrators, cooks, maintenance, etc. as it is more important to know caregiver to resident ratio. 
4. Long term and continued care offered
• It is important to think long term when evaluating a facility. Make sure the facility meets your senior's needs for today and for down the road. Many facilities offer different levels of care, from independent living, to assisted living, to skilled nursing. Ask how the transition process works for each level of care and how often they evaluate for these needs. Your direct contact should have a structured care plan that will help your senior transition as they require different levels of care. 
• Additionally, there may come a day when the facility can not meet the needs of your senior and they need different care. Make sure to ask about the move-out policy, refunds, and any costs associated with terminating the living agreement. 
5. Cost
• Many facilities will have a benefit coordinator who will sit down with families to discuss their options. Consider the different options available: Medicare/Medicaid, Veterans Administration, personal savings, long-term care insurance, etc. It can be a difficult discussion, but it's important to know upfront, so there are no surprises.
6. Food!
• Sit down at the facility and have a meal with your senior. See what menu options are available and where it is sourced from. Ask about the different food schedules and how meals are served. Some facilities will have multiple dining options on campus that seniors can visit. If your senior has special needs like allergies, make sure to address these upfront. Much can be forgiven if the food is good, but no one wants to live out the rest of their days eating bad food. 
7. Covid-19
• With the Covid-19 pandemic continuing to evolve, it is important to know how your loved one's environment will be affected. Ask how the facility handles visits, socialization among residents, any mandatory requirements for staff or residents, and if there is a required quarantine period for each new move-in.
• Communication is important, not only with your senior but with the facility. Ask the facility how they are providing Covid-19 updates to families and next of kin. Also ask how the facility keeps the senior connected to families. Are they recommending or offering ViewClix frames to their residents?