Choosing an assisted living facility can cause anxiety for both the senior and their family. Whether it’s a Mom or Dad, Grandma or Grandpa, or a dear friend – it’s essential that the person you love finds a home where they will be safe and happy. The good news is that the internet provides a wealth of information for those looking for the best solution for thier loved one. With adequate research, you should be able to ensure the best possible quality of life.
In this article, we’ll discuss some effective ways to research assisted living facilities and memory care centers.
Use Reviews to Compare Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities
In today’s world, most people rely heavily on peer reviews before making any decision. You can start by reading the reviews on their facilitiy’s own website. Both Google and Yahoo have a review platform that allows users to post their experiences with each facility. The more reviews are posted, the more you can get a feel for the overall reaction of those who have chosen the facility in the past. Simply type “Google Reviews” and the name of the facility in your search bar.
Remember, nearly every business or organization will have a few bad reviews if something went wrong – be sure to look for the overall consensus. You can also check the Better Business Bureau to determine if anyone has filed official compaints you should know about.
Any nursing home or assisted living community that’s certified for Medicare or Medicaid is registered on the Medicare website. On this site, you can identify and compare local providers based on verified reviews submitted by residents and their families. There are nearly 16,000 nursing homes across the country that are certified, meaning that the database is likely to have information on many area options. Each of the senior residences posted to the website are rated according to a five-star rating system detailed below.
Five-Star Quality Rating System
An established nursing home quality rating system assesses the quality of care on a scale that ranges from “below average” to “above average”. Each facility is awarded four star ratings (1-5 stars) based on the following criteria:
- Overall rating
- Health inspections
- Staffing levels
- Quality measure data of resident care
Visiting is Always a Great Idea
After you’ve considered all the options and read all the reviews, you’ll want to visit the community and eyeball everything first-hand. For this decision, narrow your choices down to five places or less, and schedule an official visit at each one. During an onsite visit, you can get a feel for the facility that you might not get just by reading. From how the personnel interact with residents to the demeanor of the residents themselves, you can learn a lot by walking through a facility. There are many details to assess on your tour, such as:
- Staff demeanor and bedside manner
- Resident’s general appearance and mood
- Cleanliness and upkeep of the facility
- Practicality of the floor plan
- Meal plan, menu and restaurant aesthetic – be sure to ask if you can have lunch while there!
- Safety measures
- Quality of the amenities and activities calendar
My Care Finders Can Help
At My Care Finders, we’ve done the reearch and collected the reviews for you – and we can help you to narrow down your choices based on location, budget and lifestyle preferences. It’s our passion to make sure you choose the right senior care option for your family, and to walk with you through tours and applications – right up until move-in day! We’re committed to helping families find the best home for their loved one – and remember, our services are always free of charge.
