Choosing the right assisted living community for your loved one can be overwhelming and confusing. Even if you do attend a particular assisted living community tour, how do you know if it is the right one? Do not worry, you are not alone. With this helpful checklist during your assisted living community tour, simply tick or cross out the checklist so you can find out if they are the ones for your loved ones.
Upon Arrival
One of the best ways to know if the assisted living community is the right choice for your loved one is by seeing the community as it is. And that means exploring within and near the assisted living community before the tour begins. For instance, check if the nearby area is peaceful and pleasant and if there is simple parking available outdoors, including areas for handicapped people. Other questions you can add to your checklist include: Is there parking lots available for you or your loved one if either drives over? Does the building itself look appealing? And what about within the assisted living community? You can check if the grounds are well-kept and if there are lots of plants and trees. At the same time, check if there is a safe, enclosed space where the people there can mingle and walk.
The Start of the Tour
Most tours begin in someone’s office or lobby, where the director of marketing or another member of staff will spend time chatting with you about the community as a whole. He or she would inquire about your needs and what you want to see so that the trip may be personalized to your preferences. By keeping this in mind, here are some things you can add to your checklist. Do you have the impression that he or she is paying attention to your requirements and questions? And do you have a good time with your tour guide? If the answer is no to both questions, this assisted living community is not the right one then. Additionally, do you ever feel pressed or as though someone is “selling” to you? Do you find it difficult to talk to the tour guide and team members in an informal way? If it is a yes for both questions, it probably means that this assisted living community is not genuine and would not be good for your loved one. More importantly, observe how the community, tour guide, and team members treat your loved one from the start. After all, if they are focusing more on you rather than your loved one, it shows they do not care much about your loved one.
During the Tour
Don’t bother about crossing items off while you’re out walking. Instead, concentrate on what you’re seeing, hearing, smelling, and experiencing in each area. Make an effort to speak with different residents and team members, rather than simply the head of marketing. This will provide you with a better understanding of the community. Keep a lookout for the available common spaces, resident living spaces, and activities during the walk.
