6 Ways to choose an Assisted Living Center for your aging parents. Sensible Choices.
It is sometimes difficult to face, but when assisted living services must be considered, certain living standards must be met.Don’t be disturbed or annoyed when you turn the dining room into a sick room…life is full of changes. This is a temporary one. If a 24 hour, or a supported living facility, certain basic needs must be carefully considered. These are excellent ideas that may guide you to secure and establish principles to help you through the process of determining end of life living arrangements for your parent, your loved one, or your friend.
1. Choose an agency who is state licensed to provide basic services.Ask people who have used this facility in the past. Talk to your friends. This license is issued by your state, and can be easily tracked.
2. Visit the Administrative Office. Talk to the Administrative staff. Do NOT read the literature in this office. It is often propaganda. Remember, this agency is certified by your state. But, human services extend far beyond the parameters of the office in which you sit. However, you do need to know exactly what services are provided, Listen carefully. Consider the physical and mental abilities of your family member or friend.Does the facility fulfill the needs of your loved one? How does it smell inside the halls? In the common areas?
3. Visit the halls, dining halls and common areas of the whole facility. You can learn from what you observe. How does it smell? What are the residents doing? Is there an activity schedule posted? How are residents selected to attend these activities? Do you observe any interaction between staff and residents? Do this observation different times during the day to get an understanding of the 24 hour schedule.
4. Bring your loved one to the facility for a meal, a visit to an activity, to observe normal routines, or an off campus activity.Watch how staff interact with residents, when they are in the dining hall, or in other activities.Consider the things that your family member enjoys now, or used to enjoy?what is the level of participation that your family member needs to engage in activities?There should be an activity that takes the place of the mindless, obsessive hand or body movements that indicate stagnation and boredom? How does the facility smell? How do the residents smell? What products are used to lessen or reduce human smells? Are residents encouraged to bathe regularly? Who assists?Are other residents clean and neutral smelling?
5. Would you be able to live here? Until you actually participate for more than one observation, it is difficult to determine if this facility is right for your family member. However, once the decision is made, vigilance is necessary. From the above list continue to monitor and to observe how happy your loved one seems to be. Use your sense of smell to monitor halls, rooms, and your family member. Smell is one strong indicator of how well cared for he/she is in this setting. Do NOT be afraid to monitor and to complain!
6. When odor becomes an issue, here is a product you can trust. Nok-Out. Nok-Out is a strong anti bacterial, anti viral, odor prevention and eliminating agent that safely and completely destroys odors and at the same time eliminates all pathogens of significance in the environment. It can be used on fabric (mattresses) bathrooms, floors, skin, as a wash. Nok-Out is hypoallergenic, non-toxic, EPA registered to kill germs, bacteria, viruses, mold and mildew, but is totally safe and biodegradable for all surfaces, smooth, rough, hard or soft. For more information, try this number: 866.551.1927, or www.nokout.com. This product WILL remove all odors. it WILL NOT harm fragile skin. It WILL make life easier when odors permeate the air, and cling to clothing.
