10 Things your Assisted Living Facility should Provide

The concept of a care home for seniors, such as an assisted living facility, is a fairly new one. In the last few years, the generation of baby boomers has made this industry flourish! Because people know this is a fast-growing business with a strong need there has become quite a bit of competition in this area. So, if you are looking to place your loved one in a facility you have a lot of options which can be a very good thing but can also be overwhelming. The following are a few standard things that should be provided and a few that are a nice bonus.

Medication Management

This is usually one of the main reasons that family members start looking into alternative living options for their loved ones. For many seniors, medication is a huge part of their everyday life. They have multiple medications that they take every day or multiple times per day. If medications are forgotten and not taken, or forgotten and taken more often than directed it can cause very serious problems. An assisted living facility should have staff that is certified to pass medications.

24 Hour Staffing

If the next logical step is to put your loved one into a facility it is likely because they need more care and supervision than you can offer them. Most times, family members have to continue working or live far away and cannot provide constant attention. An assisted living facility should have staff on-site at all times.

Housekeeping

While it is true that seniors should stay and probably want to remain independent for as long as possible, there are many reasons why housekeeping services are beneficial. Physical limitations might make it difficult for your loved one to keep their environment as clean as it needs to be. Especially if they have a large home or a large yard, that can be a lot of physical work that they may not be able to do. Assisted living facilities typically have designated housekeeping staff that keeps everything clean inside and out.

ADL Assistance

ADL stands for the activities of daily living. This is another huge factor in most residents ending up in a facility. Age-related declines make it more difficult to perform even the simplest daily tasks such as brushing teeth, getting dressed, taking a shower, transferring, or ambulation. Assisted living staff should be trained and willing to help with any or all of these tasks as needed while allowing space for your loved ones to perform the tasks that they still can.

Meal Services

It is customary for these types of facilities to offer three meals a day that is typically prepared on-site and can accommodate a wide variety of special diets. It is nice to know what kind of dining experience is offered and if there are common eating areas that are restaurant-style. That type of dining is more conducive to a positive social interaction for seniors with the other residents. There should also be staff available to assist with feeding if needed. Seniors are at fairly high risk for choking and that is another good reason for them to eat in a public area rather than in their room.

Transportation

Transportation is a less common service in assisted living facilities but is one that is very advantageous to seniors. The vast majority of seniors in these living conditions do not have a car or even a license. If they need to get to appointments or want to go out for any reason a facility that provides transportation can make a world of difference. If you as the family do not live close by it is almost essential that the facility provide this.

Laundry

Even though most rooms will not have laundry hookups it is most likely due to the fact that most seniors cannot do their own laundry anyway. That being said, there should be an on-site laundry facility that is mostly run by staff. Staff typically takes care of collecting laundry, washing, drying, and returning laundry to the rooms. If your loved one is looking to retain as much independence as possible, it would be nice for the facility to allow them to take care of their own laundry and just provide the machines.

Activities

Mental and social health is a huge concern for senior citizens. Having regularly scheduled activities can help the eldelry get the most out of their living experience. These facilities should take advantage of the fact that there are many people in similar stages of life that can befriend each other and make their lives better. The Gables of Pocatello has dedicated activity staff that plan age-appropriate activities that nurture all areas of health.

Amenities

Common spaces should reflect a fun environment for lots of residents to come and enjoy. Common areas should be open to residents and families. Many of these homes have a piano, a television or movie room, a spa room, etc. Depending on the things that your loved one enjoys doing this could guide your decision. If your loved one enjoys movies, The Gables of Pocatello has a fun theater room with regular showings.

Private Rooms

The Gables of Pocatello offers three different sizes of fully private suites as well as one cost-effective option of a semi-private suite with a shared bathroom but a private living space. This is perfect for allowing flexibility in pricing while also giving you options to choose which room best fits the needs of your loved one and the things they will bring with them from home. Loss of privacy is a difficult thing for most elderly and should be taken seriously. After years of life, they have earned their independence and privacy.

Why Choose The Gables of Pocatello

Overall, you need to know what things are the most important for you. Similar to buying a house you should have a list of must-haves and a list of things you would like to have and make a decision based on your budget and those things. The Gables of Pocatello offers all of these things with a variety of suite options to accommodate multiple price ranges. Contact them today to find out more or to reserve your spot!