Deciding whether to make a move to Assisted Living can take some time, many conversations, and a lot of thought. Whether the move will be for yourself or a family member, here are a few things to consider.
- Does the community you’re looking at respect and encourage your independence? Having a need for Assisted Living means you simply could use a little help to navigate your day — or maybe just a helping hand every once in a while. Look for a community that uses language relating to capability, potential, and activity. A community that’s focused 100 percent on passive “supervision” or “care” might not be the right one for you.
- Does the community offer programming and amenities that are relevant to your wants and needs? Bingo and sing-alongs are a lot of fun, but there’s more to Assisted Living than traditional pastimes. Look for a campus with programming related to maximizing the health and well-being its residents. If you like to paint, look for an art studio and classes. Enjoy walking? Make sure walking paths and routes are available, both indoors and outdoors.
- Does the community encourage connectivity between all levels of living? Some “red flags” to listen for in conversation might include, “Residents in Assisted Living are not allowed to…” or, “Such-and-such is just for Independent Living.” Look for person-centered models of care, which revolve around the needs and wishes of the residents.
- Make sure that the level of care is appropriate to meet your needs, and, moving forward, that services are in place to meet anticipated future needs.
All WesleyLife’s Communities for Healthy Living offer Assisted Living. To learn more and/or schedule your private tour, contact Ward at wphillips@wesleylife.org or (515) 201-9675.