Tips for avoiding mistakes when searching for an assisted living community

Selecting an assisted living community is a challenging process – after all, it is an important decision which places the care and support of a loved one in the hands of people and organizations we may not be familiar with. Here are some great tips on common mistakes that can easily be made while searching for an assisted living community, helping you to find the ideal community for your needs.

1. Prioritizing your preferences and not those of your elderly loved one: It’s easy to get caught up in your own tastes when looking at a community and become enthusiastic about amenities your parent may not care for. Rather, keep your elderly family member involved in the process as much as possible. If he or she is frail or suffering from memory problems, try and keep in mind what they used to enjoy the most. For example, if your mom loved gardening, try finding a community with lovely gardens that she can sit in and enjoy.

2. Forgetting about future needs: The assisted living community you’re looking at may offer the lively social life and apartment-style living your parent would enjoy, but what about when he or she grows older? Is the apartment easy to navigate with a wheelchair? Can they provide meals? What programs are available to Alzheimer’s or dementia residents? Try to choose a community which offers scalable services so that your loved one isn’t faced with a second, stressful move in the years to come.

3. Not realizing how much care is needed: Here, it’s important to honestly and accurately evaluate your parent’s care needs in order to find a community that can provide the right level of services. Take note of medical conditions and other health issues as well as their level of independence. Will your loved one need bathing assistance? Is he or she able to cook meals? Are they suffering from increased memory problems? Answering questions like these will help make sure your loved one’s comfort, safety and health will be properly managed.

4. Deciding under pressure: This is a stressful time for any family, but rushing into a decision can easily leave your loved one worse off than before, so it’s worth it to take as much time as you need. First, work out your loved one’s priorities and do some Internet searches in the areas which suit you. Then, visit three to five different communities to help get a better idea of what they offer and how they differ. Keep your loved one involved wherever possible and don’t be afraid to go back to any community and ask questions or have a second look around.

Choose assisted living communities that prioritize a high quality of life.

At United Methodist Homes of New Jersey, our assisted living communities are all about keeping seniors as independent as possible while supporting them with services that make their lives easier and more enjoyable. Our programs ensure residents are encouraged to get involved with the community at a level they are comfortable with. We tailor our services to ensure that each resident gets the help and support they require to live a full and happy life. Additionally, we are able to scale these services at any point if they require a higher level of care, including care for Alzheimer’s and dementia residents. For more information, please contact us today or visit www.umh-nj.org.

This content was originally posted at http://www.umh-nj.org/blog/tips-for-avoiding-mistakes-when-searching-for-an-assisted-living-community/