Are you thinking about placing your loved one in a senior living facility? It is a big decision, with many different factors that must be considered. While there are plenty of assisted living facilities in Columbia, SC, they’re not all the same. Your loved one deserves compassionate care, and the best staff available. Below, we’ll discuss four tips to help you find the right facility.
Visit the Facility
Perhaps the single most important tip is this – pay a visit to the facility in person. This will allow you to take a tour of the entire facility with a guide and see for yourself how the facility operates. Some of the things to watch for while on your tour include:
- Cleanliness of rooms and common areas
- Quality of grounds keeping
- The Professionalism of the staff
During your tour, visit one of the personal living spaces so you can get an idea of who comfortable your loved one will be. Ask questions about when and how often housekeeping is provided, when and how often laundry service is provided and the like. Finally, it’s worth sitting in on an activity while you’re on your tour. It doesn’t matter what the activity is – what you’re looking for is how the residents interact with one another, and how staff members interact with them.
Assess the Security of the Facility
While you certainly want to make sure that your loved one is happy and well cared for in a senior living facility, you also need to ensure that they will be safe and secure. This is particularly important if your loved one has dementia or Alzheimer’s and has a tendency to wander. Make sure there is 24-hour security provided, that the facility is completely fenced in, and that staff is present at night to help with safety and security.
Consider a Trial Stay
It’s natural for both you and your loved one to be a bit hesitant about any assisted living or independent living facility. A trial stay allows you to “wet your feet” so to speak. It allows your loved one to get a feel for what life would be like at the facility, and gives you a respite from your caregiving responsibilities, at least for a bit.
We invite you to call Water Crest Senior Living today to learn more about our facility or to schedule a trial stay.
