Three Things to Look for in an Assisted Living Facility

Three Things to Look for in an Assisted Living Facility

Assisted living facilities are a nice way to transition a loved one who can no longer live on their own to living in a care facility. They offer a nice environment that gives your loved on a bit of freedom while still providing the care he or she needs to avoid injury or illness. When you are choosing a facility for assisted living in Wichita, KS, here are three things to look for.

1. Amenities

The last thing you want is for your loved one to feel like you are locking them up or tossing them away. You want them to know that this is just the next step in their life and that they can still live life to its fullest and enjoy it. With that in mind, you need to ensure the facility offers plenty of amenities. These might include a pool, rec center and computer room. They may also include entertainment, fun events, game nights and even outings.

Check to see if there are any clubs your loved one might enjoy. Learn about special activities that the facility may have from time to time. Ask about regular activities that happen every week. Find out how your loved one would fit in so you can use that as a selling point when discussing the move. Making your loved one feel a little excited about moving can really help.

Don’t forget to check out the dining options, too. This may be very important if your loved is able to cook for him or herself and really doesn’t want to lose that ability. You should check if they can eat in their room or if there is a cafeteria. Find out if they offer outdoor dining for the warmer months. Inquire about the types of menus offered and if they can buy food to keep in their own rooms.

2. Safety

Safety is the main reason you are likely looking at assisted living in Wichita, KS, so you have to check into this. Make sure there is good security in place so unauthorized people cannot get into the facility and residents cannot leave without someone knowing they have left. Make sure they have the proper medical staff to handle emergency needs and regular care. Check into safety features in rooms, like handles and emergency buttons. It should also go without saying that you should make sure the facility is in compliance with all legal requirements, such as licensing and occupancy limits. You and your loved one should feel secure about the facility.

3. Staff

The staff is what can really make or break a facility. You want to look for a dedicated and caring assisted living in Wichita, KS staff. Make sure that you see good interactions between staff and residents. Ask residents how they feel about staff members. Learn what a resident can do if they have a problem with a staff member and what the policies are for how that is handled. Make sure the facility has enough staff for the number of residents to offer adequate care without being overworked.

Kevin Smith is a writer and an avid reader. He writes about business, marketing, health, pets, or relationships etc.