Parent Need Assisted Living? 3 Questions To Ask The Assisted Living Facility

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If your parent needs assisted living, it can be a very difficult and stressful time for them, as well as for you. It is important that you choose a facility that they will feel comfortable in, and the way to do this is to ask lots of questions, such as the three questions below.

Does the facility offer memory care?

If your parent has dementia or Alzheimer's, ask the assisted living facility if they offer memory care. If so, the staff should have special training in order to assist your parent properly. They should have security measures in place in case your parent wanders away from their area. Some facilities have completely separate areas on their facility for those with memory problems. Ask the facility if they are anyone that can do individual care also, if this is needed.

They should have activities designed to allow your parent to reconnect with an interest or favorite hobby. The facility may have a neighborhood that is solely for residents that require memory care. This neighborhood may have safe places that your parent can wander, increased lighting, and memory boxes located outside their room.

Is the staff friendly?

Visit the assisted living facility on your own and observe the staff to make sure they are friendly to the residents. Ask the staff to show you their credentials. This is because you do not want someone taking care of your parent that has a criminal background. Each time you visit your parent, spend time watching the staff as they care for your parent. Talk to other family members that you see there what they think of the staff. Doing this can ease your worries, because you know your parent will be in good hands.

Are health services offered?

Ask the facility if they offer health services to their patients just in case an emergency occurs. They could have a doctor or a nurse on staff all the time. They may have physical therapists onsite to help those that have a physical disability. This will ensure your parent will be taken care of properly if something happens during the day or in the middle of the night.

The medical staff should oversee your parent's medications, provide them with treatment, as needed, and provide physical examinations.

Visit many facilities (or services like In Your Home Care) in your area and ask these questions until you find one that you and your parent feel comfortable with.

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17 May 2016

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