What to Look for When Touring an Assisted Living Community by Melanie Cee

When it comes time to choose an assisted living community for yourself or for a loved one, it's never easy. It can be extremely difficult to let go of a familiar living situation and if you're choosing for a parent or other close family member, finding the right community is an enormous responsibility. Will the level of care be high quality and compassionate? Will you or your loved one be happy and safe? A community may have a beautiful website or a great sales and marketing team but that won't tell you the whole story or give you a real idea of what life in that community is really like. The best way to get a more accurate assessment is to do your homework and to visit potential communities. Before your visit, do some research on communities in the areas you're considering. There are several state and federal regulatory agencies as well as organizations such as Consumer Reports that gather information on various assisted living communities. Once you've narrowed down your options, it's time to visit the communities on your short list. The following is a list of things to look for when touring an assisted living community.

• Follow your nose. When you first arrive at a community, the first thing you should notice is certainly not bad odors or smells. Check the level of cleanliness throughout the community not only as far as furnishings and overall housekeeping but also around windows and baseboards. Ask how often housekeeping in personal living spaces is done as well as how often laundry is done. If there are bad smells, be sure to talk to a manager about what's causing them and whether or not it's an isolated incident.
• Attend an activity. Activities are an important part of community life. If you can, participate in an activity to get an idea of how many people attend as well as how much the residents and the staff are enjoying themselves. Check the calendar of events and see if they match up with your loved one's interests. Events should include a good variety of activities as well as trips or outings away from the community.
• Eat a meal. This is a great way not only to get a sense of the type and quality of food served but also to talk to other residents (more on that in a moment). Make sure to find out what dining and entree options are available, as well as dining room hours and what happens if a resident is unable to make it to the dining room for a meal.
• Talk to residents and family. One of the best ways to get a feel for a community is to talk to current residents as well as their families. Are current residents happy and satisfied? Are they clean and properly dressed? Are they well-groomed with clean hair and nails? Ask the manager about personal care such as bathing options and preferences. You'll want to be sure hygiene needs are able to be met in a dignified way.
• Observe staff friendliness. The attitude of the staff is extremely important. Observe how the staff interacts with residents. Are they friendly and do they have a good attitude? Do they make eye contact with residents and truly listen? How many people are available to take care of each resident?
• Trust your gut. Perhaps most importantly, trust your instincts. If you are looking for

Senior Housing Paso Robles, it's important to not only do your research and visit a community but also to have a good feeling about the place.

About the Author: Melanie Cee is an assisted living community manager and contributing writer who enjoys helping families find the best living situations for their loved ones.