7 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Assisted-Living Services
Not all assisted-living facilities operate in the same manner. Unfortunately, many families make some common mistakes when making this important decision. These mistakes can actually increase a family’s stress and workload, if not carefully avoided. While there are many potential hazards to be aware of, here is a list of some of the more common mistakes that you can avoid.
PRICING:
Most assisted-living facilities operate in one of two pricing formats: “Al a Carte”, and “All Inclusive”. A la Carte pricing usually charges a seemingly low base price per month for very basic services. However, additional fees are added if the resident needs help with laundry or medication management, etc. While this pricing plan may appear to be lower initially, these extra fees can quickly escalate far beyond a family’s ability to pay.
Most assisted-living facilities operate in one of two pricing formats: “Al a Carte”, and “All Inclusive”. A la Carte pricing usually charges a seemingly low base price per month for very basic services. However, additional fees are added if the resident needs help with laundry or medication management, etc. While this pricing plan may appear to be lower initially, these extra fees can quickly escalate far beyond a family’s ability to pay.
For families seeking a way to consistently maintain their budget, All-Inclusive pricing may be a better option. All-inclusive pricing programs charge a single monthly fee. This fee covers every service provided to the resident. From meals to medication management to activities, the single fee covers everything.
FACILITY APPEARANCE vs. RESIDENT APPEARANCE:Everyone is attracted to a nice-looking building. It can appear comfortable and inviting. However, the exterior is not where your loved one will spend most of their time. As you tour a potential facility, be particularly mindful of the appearance of the residents themselves. Do they appear disheveled or unkempt? Are their rooms untidy? Are their beds unmade? Do you notice any odors? These tell-tale signs can reveal much to you about how your own loved one will be treated if they move in.
FOOD SERVICE and CNA’s vs. HOME-COOKED MEALS and a KITCHEN STAFF:Many assisted-living facilities offer meals that are trucked in from food-service companies. While nutritionally adequate, these meals may go uneaten if they do not taste and smell good to the residents. Because an assisted-living center may be your loved one's home for a period of time, meals should be homemade. The process of preparing meals from scratch, not only preserves dietary quality, it enhances the overall meal experience. The smells of a freshly prepared meal, floating from the kitchen, invite residents to not only eat their meals, but to savor them.
An additional concern regarding meals is kitchen staff. Many facilities do not have a separate kitchen staff. They require the care personnel to stop supervising the residents and go prepare the meals. For facilities with 16 beds or less, this practice should not be a concern. However, for larger facilities, having a separate, professional kitchen staff allows your loved one to receive the care they need and the quality meals they deserve.
RESIDENT TO STAFF RATIO:
Making sure that the facility you choose has adequate staffing is critical to your loved one’s well being. Many assisted-living facilities focus more on profit margins than the quality of care their residents receive. Some facilities will assign only one CNA to take care of 15 residents. A 1:15 ratio may increase profit margins, but it may also leave residents underserved. When selecting an assisted-living facility, look for facilities that have a ratio of 1 CNA for every 10 residents as a minimum standard.
Making sure that the facility you choose has adequate staffing is critical to your loved one’s well being. Many assisted-living facilities focus more on profit margins than the quality of care their residents receive. Some facilities will assign only one CNA to take care of 15 residents. A 1:15 ratio may increase profit margins, but it may also leave residents underserved. When selecting an assisted-living facility, look for facilities that have a ratio of 1 CNA for every 10 residents as a minimum standard.
PROGRESSIVE CARE:
Moving to a new home with a new set of friends is trying on anyone, especially the elderly. Therefore, moving your loved one as little as possible is ideal. However, as we age, the level of care we need often increases. Some assisted-living facilities only offer one level of service. Having to move your loved one to a new facility each time their level of care increases, can be costly and traumatic. It is more beneficial to choose a multi-service facility right from the start. This way, your loved one can still remain in the same facility with the friends and staff they have grown accustomed to, even as their needed level of care increases.
Moving to a new home with a new set of friends is trying on anyone, especially the elderly. Therefore, moving your loved one as little as possible is ideal. However, as we age, the level of care we need often increases. Some assisted-living facilities only offer one level of service. Having to move your loved one to a new facility each time their level of care increases, can be costly and traumatic. It is more beneficial to choose a multi-service facility right from the start. This way, your loved one can still remain in the same facility with the friends and staff they have grown accustomed to, even as their needed level of care increases.
ALZHEIMER’S CARE:
As we age, memory and cognitive abilities often begin to decline. Additionally, diseases such as Alzheimer’s further complicate matters by requiring additional, secure care. Where Alzheimer’s is present, basic assisted-living facilities may not be sufficient. As many Alzheimer victims are prone to wandering, secure memory care is often required to keep the resident safe. A secure memory care facility has all of the amenities of regular assisted-living. It also includes specially-trained staff and security code locks on external doors. Some facilities may simply put a bracelet on a resident, which sounds an alarm if they get too close to a door. However, this is not a secure facility. A security coded facility offers Alzheimer’s residents with the greatest level of care and safety. If your loved one requires Alzheimer’s services, make sure the facility, truly is secure.
As we age, memory and cognitive abilities often begin to decline. Additionally, diseases such as Alzheimer’s further complicate matters by requiring additional, secure care. Where Alzheimer’s is present, basic assisted-living facilities may not be sufficient. As many Alzheimer victims are prone to wandering, secure memory care is often required to keep the resident safe. A secure memory care facility has all of the amenities of regular assisted-living. It also includes specially-trained staff and security code locks on external doors. Some facilities may simply put a bracelet on a resident, which sounds an alarm if they get too close to a door. However, this is not a secure facility. A security coded facility offers Alzheimer’s residents with the greatest level of care and safety. If your loved one requires Alzheimer’s services, make sure the facility, truly is secure.
MEDICATION MANAGEMENT:Modern medicine has extended our lifespans, as well as our quality of life. As we age, we often find ourselves requiring more medication to maintain that quality of life. An individual that requires assisted-living services may not be able to consistently manage their medication needs effectively. Assisted-living facilities will often manage the medication of their residents. However, to increase profit margins, some facilities will assign one person to manage the medication needs of every single resident. This can potentially increase the risk of mistakes being made when those medications are distributed. When you tour a facility, ask questions to determine who will be handling your loved one’s medications, and how many other residents’ medications that person is handling.
TRANSPORTATION:While many residents of assisted-living centers may have mobility difficulties, almost every resident enjoys the opportunity to get out once in awhile. Trips to various attractions, and transportation to needed medical appointments, are essential to the health and well-being of the elderly. In choosing an assisted-living center, be careful to evaluate the transportation resources of the facility. Is the resident responsible for scheduling their own transportation? Does the facility have its own vehicle(s) and provide the residents with transportation?
CONCLUSION:
Assisted-living offers us the hope of our loved ones receiving the care they need to enjoy a higher quality of life in their later years. Choosing an assisted-living facility is an important decision and one that should not be made haphazardly. Because not all assisted-living facilities operate in the same manner, selecting the correct facility for your loved one is critical. By knowing some of the common mistakes families make when choosing an assisted-living facility, you can more effectively avoid the pitfalls, and ensure that your loved one’s assisted-living experience is a blessing for them and your own family.
Because each family’s situation is unique, individual consultations are available to help you evaluate which type of assisted-living services are right for your loved one’s specific needs. If you would like a complimentary in-home evaluation for your loved one, simply give us a call. We are committed to helping you make the right decision for your loved one’s needs. Please consider calling Bel Aire Senior Living home for you or your loved one.
Assisted-living offers us the hope of our loved ones receiving the care they need to enjoy a higher quality of life in their later years. Choosing an assisted-living facility is an important decision and one that should not be made haphazardly. Because not all assisted-living facilities operate in the same manner, selecting the correct facility for your loved one is critical. By knowing some of the common mistakes families make when choosing an assisted-living facility, you can more effectively avoid the pitfalls, and ensure that your loved one’s assisted-living experience is a blessing for them and your own family.
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