Knowing what to look for in an assisted living Dallas facility can be a big advantage when it comes to making the often hard decision to place a loved one there. The majority of facilities are well run, although there can be red flags and doing your homework before making the decision is a must.

GetAssisted Living Recommendations

If your family or friends are able to give you are a commendation for a facility, that can be an easy way to find the right one. Otherwise, browsing online and looking at reviews and comments should be your first step. However, there is no substitute for actually visiting an assisted living facility in person, and once you have several possibilities you should arrange a tour of each one. You will probably talk to the supervisor or facility manager, but you should also try to talk to some of the staff and to some of the residents too, if allowed. Remember that the facility is a business and you should be prepared for a hard sell, and for an emphasis on only the positive side of things. Visiting the facility a couple of other times at different times of the day also gives you a feel for how it is run, and what the overall atmosphere is like during social times.

Be Prepared With Questions

Before you meet with the facility staff, prepare a list of questions to ask. You should find out what the staff to resident ratio is, and whether it meets the minimum requirements for that state. The experience and qualifications of the staff should also be one of your concerns, and whether the facility has a high staff turnover, which is perhaps a sign that it isn’t the best place to work. Other concerns you may have may be the quality and variety of the meals, and how accommodating the place is to those with special dietary needs. Ask to look at the menu for that week. And you should also ask about outings and activities; a well run facility should have a full program of outings, activities and events.

As well as having your questions answered, you should also try to get an overall impression of the assisted living facility as you are given a tour. Does the place seem clean and well organized? How large are the apartments or rooms and do residents have enough personal space for their needs? Are the toilets adequate and well maintained? Is the facility secure aswell as welcoming to residents and visitors? It’s not unheard of for residents to wander off when they shouldn’t, and many assisted living facilities strive to get the right balance between an open and welcoming atmosphere, yet at the same time being safe and secure. Look for smoke detectors, sprinklers, help call buttons, and safety locks on the doors. Location is also a factor; does your loved one want to be close to their grandchildren, or need shops and restaurants nearby?

Check Reviews

Don’t be afraid to ask the facility if they have anycomplaints against them, or whether they have been cited by the state. That information should be given to you if asked for; if you feel more comfortable, your state will have the information and can make it available to you. Some activities may be prohibited in the residents’ rooms or apartments; that may be a useful thing to ascertain, as well as whether residents are allowed to bring their own furniture and keep a pet. And find out how many rooms are currently vacant; a large number of empty rooms can also be a red flag. Many of the better assisted living facilities have a long waiting list.

You should also find out just how prepared the facility is in the event of an emergency. A good facility has a registered nurse availableat all times, and a comprehensive plan in place for handling medical emergencies with residents. You may want to find out whether there is a higher level ofcare offered by the facility, should a resident need that at some point in thefuture. If the facility takes Medicare patients, Medicare maintains a system that evaluates facilities based on such things as overall care quality, staffing numbers and the regularity of health inspections.

Assisted Living in Dallas Conclusion

Now that you know what to look for in an assisted living facility, it may make the decision to place someone there a little bit easier. You should also start looking and researching in plenty of time; as pointed out, the best facilities can have a long waiting list.

Published: 2018-12-08 22:07:10