Vetting Assisted Living Facilities

It’s time to choose a new assisted living facility for your parents. You’ve done some research and picked a few places that you’d like to look at more closely. But the most important question still remains: How can you be certain that the one that you pick will be the right one?  Your next step is the vetting process.

Create a Checklist

Just like presidential candidates and their party leaders vet potential VP candidates you must also vet assisted living facilities thoroughly to make sure that you choose the best one for your parents.

Like most projects, you’ll hit the ground running if you first start with a list of questions to ask. Here is a list of 10 questions to get you started:

1. What is your staff-to-resident ratio?
2. What is the experience level of your staff and what training do they undergo?
3. What is your medication policy?
4. Do you have medical staff on site 24 Hours a day, seven days a week?
5. How many staff members are available during overnight shifts?
6. What types of living quarters are available?
7. What is your billing procedure?
8. Can you introduce us to some of the current residents?
9. What additional services does your facility provide?
10. Is there an outdoor/recreational area and is it secure?

You will likely have other questions too. By starting with these basic questions, you will think of others that are equally important to you and your loved ones.

Research Assisted Living Facilities

Just as important as discussing your questions with the assisted care facilities you are considering is doing your own research. You will get unbiased factual information without the cheerleading from facility directors who are simply interested in getting your business.

There are a few simple places you can start. Most of these resources can be accessed online. Here are some of the ways you can verify the credibility of the facilities on your list:

1. Check the Better Business Bureau for complaints, lawsuits, or other problems with the facilities you have in mind.
2. Many states produce reports like the Assisted Living Transparency Report to vet assisted living facilities in your area.
3. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides information about assisted living facilities in your area including comparison facts and other helpful resources.
4. Your local resources can be a valuable source for information. If they do not have the exact information you need, they can often point you in the right direction.

Best in Person

Finally, experts agree that “trusting your gut” can be your most valuable resource when vetting assisted living facilities.  Take a complete tour of the facility. Meet the personnel who will be responsible for day-to-day care. Eat the food they will be eating.

See the room where they will be staying, even spend the night. If you are comfortable there, chances are that your parents will be as well.

Tour Our Personal Care Cottages Today

If you find that you still need help making the right choice for your loved ones, Unlimited Care Cottages is ready and willing to help. Contact us any time to schedule a personal tour of our personal care cottages.