Whether you are making the decision to put a loved one into a senior care facility or are considering entering one yourself, it can be an incredibly difficult decision. There are many factors that go into deciding what sort of senior care facility, if any, is right for you or your family. Comfort, cleanliness, care, and safety are all obviously very important, but it can be easy to overlook signs that things are not what they seem at any given care facility.

The old trope of placing seniors in care facilities that give the most basic of care or continually engage in elderly abuse is tired and highly inaccurate. While there are certainly cases of abuse or lack of appropriate care at senior care facilities, for the most part, these facilities want the same thing you want for yourself or your beloved family members. The goal of a good care facility is to give seniors the best possible care during their twilight years and to provide them with a comfortable and stimulating environment in which they can truly enjoy themselves. Ultimately the decision of what type of facility to use will still be difficult, but there are a few tips to sorting out what will work best for you and your family.

Understanding All the Options

As you or your family members grow older, it can be expected that a little bit of help might be required in order to continue living comfortably. However, many seniors balk at the idea of living in a senior care facility, seeing them less as organizations with the goal of helping them live comfortably and more as places where they are signing away their independence and freedom. While many seniors deeply value their independence, there are still types of senior housing that can be right for them, allowing for independence while also providing a high-quality level of care.

Assuming that you or your family member does not require medical attention around the clock, assisted living facilities are an affordable senior housing option that acts as more of a community than the more strict arrangements of nursing homes. Assisted living facilities allow seniors to openly interact with each other, and offer up a wide variety of activities to participate in. Generally, none of these activities are mandatory, and seniors are allowed to engage in whatever activities they find interesting, giving them a sense of freedom and independence they might not feel in different types of care facilities or even in their own homes.

Another option for seniors who value independence but still need a bit of assistance is to live with family. By living with your family, you’ll be able to keep your mind sharp and fend off loneliness through daily interactions with them. However, it is important to note that seniors choosing to live with family may need to invest quite a bit of money into renovations, as many seniors will require the installation of specialty equipment like grab bars for the bathroom or even purchasing a hospital bed if needed.

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Avoiding Common Mistakes

The most important aspect when choosing a senior care facility is to go on an actual tour of it before you make any decisions, paying special attention to details that might signal a larger problem within the facility. Most care facilities will have a beautifully maintained website, showcasing the best parts of their facilities and putting their best foot forward. It is always good practice to spend a significant amount of time within the facility observing the ebb and flow before you make any long-term decisions for yourself or your family.

When touring a facility for the first time, pay special attention to cleanliness and smells. While an unusual odor in a smaller area can be indicative of a recent accident, larger areas that smell “off” could be signs of a larger issue. Additionally, try to schedule the visit during an activity so that you can observe how the staff interacts with those living in the facility and noting the level of staff friendliness. Have the staff take you on a tour of the grounds to see if they are maintained as meticulously as the entrance, as this is a sign that a care facility truly cares and takes pride in keeping things orderly.

Finally, ask staff about safety and care within the facility. Make sure that they have specialized equipment like Geri chairs and that all beds have adjustable bed rails or even bed canes. If these are not present, make sure that the staff has no reservations about obtaining the special equipment you or your family might require to live comfortably. Speak with residents and their family members to get a closer insight into how things operate on a day-to-day basis and not just when there is a potential resident visiting. Above all, trust your own instincts and intuition, because if something seems off there is a good chance that it might be, and the best course of action would be to avoid that particular facility.

Evaluate What is Best for You or a Loved One

The most important thing to look for in a senior care facility, whether you are looking for yourself or a family member, is comfortability. Comfortability isn’t just a perk, it is absolutely essential to a senior’s ability to maintain their health and live longer and happier lives. No medicine can help a senior have a zest for life; only a comfortable and happy environment can achieve that.

Choosing a senior living facility can be one of the most important decisions you make for yourself or your family, and focusing on comfortability is the key to success. If all you need to be more comfortable in your own home is a specialized hospital bed mattress, moving into a facility not only makes little sense but would add undue stress into your life. The best possible course of action is to make sure that you or your family member actually wants to make the move into a care facility because forcing anyone into this huge decision is a recipe for disaster.

If the staff of a care facility seems overworked or inattentive, chances are that that is the case. When choosing the right facility for you or your loved ones, it is important that you take into account every aspect of the facility in order to maximize comfortability and happiness. After all, it is either yours or your family’s happiness and health at stake, and though the decision can be difficult, it isn’t impossible to find the perfect fit for any need.