What to Look for When Touring an Assisted Living Community

If assisted living is the answer for meeting the needs – and improving quality of life – for you or a loved one, you may now be considering how to choose the best community.

 

You’ll want to schedule personal visits of course, but preparing ahead of time can greatly increase your ability to recognize which community could be the right fit.

Touring an Assisted Living Community: What to Look For

Before touring an assisted living community, it’s helpful to consider the characteristics and qualities that will contribute to creating a genuine home.

Take a look at the following to familiarize yourself with 8 important community features:

1. A welcoming and well-maintained community

When you drive up to the community for the first time, do you feel welcome? Take note when touring an assisted living community if this is a home you will be proud to invite your family and friends to visit?

2. A friendly staff

Does the staff warmly greet you upon arrival? During your tour, notice how they interact with the residents and other team members. Do they appear to enjoy their work and feel valued at what they contribute?

3. A residence that will soon become home

Ask to view all the floorplan choices and to personally visit those available that would meet your needs and preferences. When touring assisted living, consider locations in the community and ask about the ability to personalize the residence.

4. Contented residents

You’ll also want to pay attention to the residents when touring assisted living communities and how they interact with each other. Do they seem to enjoy daily life and their friendships? Talk to a few residents during the visit about how they transitioned to the community.

<LP: https://info.milestoneretirement.com/family-decision-toolkit-guide >

5. Dining options

Eating well is essential to maintaining good health so you’ll want to pay attention to the dining options that are offered. If possible, arrange to have a meal during the tour to taste first-hand the menu selections and experience the social dining opportunities as well.

6. A full activity calendar

Remaining engaged with others – and in life – is critical for living well. When touring assisted living communities, you’ll want to make sure there is a full monthly activity calendar of choices for the residents, including many that are of interest to you.

7. Social events

Becoming lonely or socially isolated can become a higher risk when we grow older. It can also be more difficult to meet new people and make friends. Assisted living communities make this so much easier. Ask how new residents are made to feel welcome.

8. Up-to-date amenities

What type of amenities does the community provide? Are they of interest and offer a range of possibilities? Are they well-maintained? If possible, ask to join in an activity with the other residents. Participating while visiting can help create a sense of belonging and provide the opportunity to see oneself living in the community.

Touring an Assisted Living Community: Questions to Ask

Thinking of questions ahead of time before you tour assisted living communities can prepare you to learn as much as you can. The answers and your observations can also help when comparing which community would be the right choice.

  1. What services are available?
  2. Are there health conditions that can’t be accommodated?
  3. What is the staff-to-resident ratio?
  4. Is there an in-house physician or registered nurse on staff?
  5. Are there written care plans?
  6. Can residences be personalized to make them home?
  7. Are pets allowed?
  8. Are there visiting hours for family or friends?
  9. Is the family encouraged and enabled to remain engaged with their loved one?
  10. Is transportation provided?

Life at a Milestone Community

If you’re looking at options for retirement living, we invite your family to visit one of our Milestone communities – designed to support your loved ones to live their highest quality of life.

We offer studio and one-bedroom private apartments for our assisted living residents as well as private or shared memory care suites for those living with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Our memory care residents are cared for by our compassionate and specially trained team – who meet them wherever they are in their journey with patience and kindness. The residents also have access to customized activities, programs and an elevated secured courtyard.

Our amenities and services encourage our residents in assisted living to engage with others, remain as independent as possible and be reassured that help is available whenever needed.

In addition to our personalized services, we offer:

· Chef-prepared meals

· Full-service dining room and bistro/bar

· Clubroom with large screen and theater style seating

· Family gathering room

· Rooftop courtyard including outdoor kitchen and firepit

· Resident accessible chef’s kitchen garden

· Senior-inspired fitness center

· Hair and nail salon

· Resident-shared laundry rooms

· Elegantly designed common areas

· 24-hour on-duty care staff

· Scheduled transportation

· Secured community

· Direct access to adjoining walking paths and parks

If your family is considering retirement living, we hope you will visit one of our communities. We are a trusted resource and are here to answer any questions. Please contact us with any questions you may have or to arrange a personal tour.

We also invite you to download our complimentary Family Decision Toolkit.