Everybody dreads having to place their parents in an assisted living or long-term care facility. Unfortunately, it’s often the only, or best, option for aged or infirm adults.
Fortunately, with over 28,900 registered assisted living and residential communities in the USA, you’ll have plenty of choices when it comes to finding the best place for your aging loved ones.
So, there’s no reason to settle for the first institution that comes up in an internet search for ‘senior living near me’.
Use these tips to ensure you find the ultimate senior care center for your aging loved ones.
Different Ways to Search for ‘Senior Living Near Me’
While investigating your options for senior care, you should use several specific search terms to find the ideal solution. There are seven main types of senior care facilities to choose from.
These are:
- Independent living apartments for sociable, self-sufficient seniors
- Adult homes offering supervision for those who need a little extra help
- Enriched housing for independent living with daily catering provided
- Family-type homes for long-term residential care for small groups of seniors
- Assisted living programs that oversee daily routines without 24-hour care
- Nursing homes for 24-hour supervision, memory care, and medical care
Continuing care retirement communities offer a mix of the above facilities on one campus. So, residents can move on to a more comprehensive facility as their needs increase without too much upheaval.
You can make the search easier by consulting websites that specialize in ‘senior living near me‘ broken down by category.
Things to Look For With Long Term Care Facilities
Despite these general categories, you’ll still find a host of different amenities and packages available at these institutions. Many offer additional luxuries, while others comply with the bare minimum to help save costs.
Some of the nice-to-have facilities offered by senior care centers include:
- Swimming pools and spas
- Daily activity programs
- Interesting outings and events
- Additional therapies like pet therapy or art therapy
- Transportation when needed
- Wellness programs
Some of the things you should insist on when choosing a facility for your loved ones include:
- 24-hour security
- Medical personnel on call
- Nutritious, varied catering
- Clean, serviced rooms
- Emergency call systems
Additionally, residents in these facilities are legally entitled to freedom from neglect and abuse, religious freedom, council representation, and privacy, amongst other things. Naturally, you should only place your loved ones in a licensed and registered facility.
The best way to judge a senior care facility is by spending time there. Consider the following during your visit:
- Do the employees come across as respectful, knowledgeable, and helpful?
- Are the residents happy and engaged?
- Do the meals look appealing?
- is the place clean and well organized?
Talking to some of the residents or their families is another good way to get a feel for a place. Don’t fall for marketing jargon, glossy brochures, and smooth talk. Investigate every aspect of a facility before you place your parents there.
More Options For You
Now that you’re more informed about the search for ‘senior living near me’, you can find the best options for your aging folks with confidence.
There’s no need for guilt and sadness when you know that you’re doing the best thing for them.
If you’d like more information to help you make good decisions on life’s issues, keep browsing our knowledge center.
