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Senior living facilities: 5 topics to consider

Making the choice that an aging parent is ready for a senior living facility is not easy. Finding the right place to call their new home can be even harder.
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December 30, 2015

Making the choice that an aging parent is ready for a senior living facility is not easy. Finding the right place to call their new home can be even harder.

When going through the process of finding a facility that’s the right fit for a parent or other relative, it’s important to be thorough and ask all the right questions. Here are some topics suggested by experts in the field.

1. Quality of life

It’s important not to be swayed by what a facility looks like on the outside, but to see how it functions on the inside. “A large percentage of children look at the aesthetics and beauty of the community instead of taking into consideration what’s best for their parents,” said Sandra Heller, founder of Compassionate Senior Solutions.

Instead, prospective clients should focus on whether the quality of life matches their loved one’s current standards. “You go into the food and the amenities that are available,” said Bette Bergsman, executive director at STOP CANCER, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that funds research to fight cancer.

She found found her 87-year-old mother a facility with the help of Jennifer Saginor, a senior retirement placement specialist with Saginor Senior Solutions, based in Beverly Hills. “Ask if there’s a washing machine on the floor. Is laundry and cleaning [done] once a week?” Bergsman said. “You’re putting your parent in a venue where they may not be able to do the normal basic things they do at home.” 

2. Staff 

Negligence is a huge problem in the senior living industry, according to Saginor. That’s why it’s crucial to find out the backgrounds of the nurses and staff who work there and to discuss the facility with others already living there. “I would talk to residents who live there and need the same level of care,” she said. “You’re going to hear the truth from the people who know what’s happening.” 

When Bergsman was doing her research, she asked specific questions about care — including about what happens in case of an emergency — and met with the heads of the nursing departments. She inquired about the nurse/caretaker-to-resident ratio, the ability to dispense drugs and monitor vital signs, and activities available to stimulate body and mind. 

3. Fees

Websites for assisted-living facilities list the costs, but what about if seniors need more care down the line? What if a resident becomes sick and needs more help? It’s imperative to figure out what costs will go up in case further assistance is necessary. “You don’t want to overspend,” Heller said. “Ask, ‘What can I expect in the future in terms of expenses?’ ” 

4. Making introductions

When older adults go into assisted-living facilities, they may be scared that they’ll feel isolated because they don’t fit in. Saginor said that to prevent this, visitors should ask if their parents can talk to current residents. “It’s always important to meet people so they can relate to one person. I introduce my clients to a few of the residents that live there so they can feel like they can relate to someone,” she said.

5. Food

It may not sound like a deal breaker, but meals matter. Many assisted-living facilities offer a set menu every day. If people are spending a lot of money on a facility, they should know what they’re paying for. 

Saginor said that visitors should ask about the chef — is he a rookie or someone with reputable restaurant experience. “There are a few communities I tend to always recommend because of the chef specifically,” she said. 

Also, if parents have special food requirements — for example, they keep kosher — inquire about how accommodating the facility is with its menus. “Ask, ‘Is there a set menu or can you order off a menu?’ A lot of places have a limited menu, but that won’t work for someone who has dietary constraints,” Saginor said.

It’s up to the children and the concerned family members to ask these questions because seniors are often hesitant to go into facilities. “Very few elderly people will wake up and say, ‘I’m ready to go to senior living,’ ” Heller said. “It has to be driven by the children because they’re worried about the parents.”

There are many reasons behind such worry — even beyond immediate health worries, which can be costly. According to UC San Francisco researchers, more than 43 percent of adults older than 60 said they have experienced feelings of loneliness, and a report by the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project revealed that older adults who are socially isolated are at higher risk for mental and physical health problems. 

By doing research for her mother and asking questions, Bergsman said she found a facility that’s been a great fit. 

“The ability to socialize is rejuvenating, to say the least,” she said. “There are all these different outings and movie screenings. It’s a positive way to live versus living in your own home, which is clearly much more isolating. It’s been an excellent experience.” 

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