You have realized the time has come to seek personal care for elderly loved one(s). This can be a daunting task as many different senior living options are available. There are items to look for when looking for the right personal care community.
How to find the right personal care community
When evaluating assisted living and personal care for elderly loved ones, remember to balance practical considerations with quality care. Perhaps most importantly, remember what is important to you and your loved one.
Location
While your main goal is to find the best care, it is important to be practical. Is the location convenient for family members to visit? Is it in a safe area? Is there ample parking? These are important questions to consider during your search.
Referral
One of the most fruitful resources to find the right care for loved ones is word of mouth. Ask friends and physicians for recommendations.
Avoid “free” referral services that provide advice on personal care for elderly loved ones. These companies make money by charging senior living providers to be included on their lists of recommended communities. That means the advice you will receive is based on which communities have paid to advertise versus communities that have highest ratings and may be the best fit for your loved one.
Staffing
To make sure your loved one receives quality care, it is important to ask about the training staff receives at the communities you are considering.
At Country Meadows, co-workers receive training that goes beyond teaching by introducing mentorship programs and support systems, and by constantly developing new programs that make employees feel inspired, knowledgeable and excited to take on each day. Our training encourages co-workers to get to know each resident. This helps make life better for each person, fitting their individual needs.
Confirm that staff is onsite 24/7 to ensure the health and wellness of residents. Find out what type of services are available including medication management, bathing, dressing and nursing staff. Find out if medical staff is available on-call at all hours of the day and night to make sure your loved one can receive care if needed or be referred to a hospital.
Researching personal care for elderly loved ones
An amazing amount of information can be gathered via the internet. Using a search engine can provide a list of assisted living and personal care facilities. Be sure to research facilities’ inspection records and customer reviews.
In-person visit
You’ve done your research and have selected a few facilities to visit. When you call to schedule a tour, it is a good sign if the community asks questions and gathers information about what type of care you are seeking.
Show up a few minutes early to observe residents and staff members. How are they interacting? Do the residents appear well-groomed and happy? Talk to residents or family members about care, lifestyle and food.
There are many questions to ask when touring personal care communities for elderly loved ones. This list shares several of those questions covering important areas such as care provided, social engagement, staffing and meals.
Learn more about assisted living and personal care in PA and about all of the services offered at Country Meadows campuses in Pennsylvania and Frederick, Maryland. Please contact our team for more information about how we can support you or a loved one. Our co-workers are always available to help!
Country Meadows
