You might think you’ve done everything necessary to choose the right assisted living facility for your loved one, but the real test comes after they’ve spent some time there. You can determine if the place is suitable by paying attention to warning signs during your visits and listening to your family member’s feedback.
Here are nine warning signs to look out for in an assisted living facility:
1. **Behavioral Changes in Your Family Member**: If your loved one is happy and talks positively about the place, it’s probably a good fit. If they complain and want to move, there might be issues that need to be addressed.
2. **Poor Ratings from Agencies**: Organizations like US News rate assisted living facilities. Check these ratings to see if the facility is among the poorly rated ones, which might indicate issues that you should be aware of.
3. **Disciplinary Actions**: If the facility has a history of disciplinary action from government bodies, ask the administration for an explanation and evaluate whether it affects your family member’s well-being.
4. **Unresponsive Administration**: Discuss various aspects of the facility’s services with the administration. If their responses seem evasive or unsatisfactory, reconsider your choice.
5. **High Staff Turnover**: Frequent changes in the staff assigned to your loved one can indicate poor management. Ask about the staff turnover rate to ensure it’s not alarmingly high.
6. **Facility Atmosphere**: During your visits, observe the staff’s behavior and the general atmosphere. Poor hygiene, unkempt uniforms, lack of cheerfulness, and general inactivity are all red flags.
7. **Poor Medical Attention**: If your family member receives medical care at the facility, check for signs of neglect like bedsores, infections, bruises, malnourishment, or dehydration. Severe issues warrant immediate action.
8. **Neglected Amenities**: Look for signs of negligence, such as broken AC units, fused bulbs, faulty medical equipment, and poorly maintained surroundings. These can indicate broader management problems.
9. **Staff Discipline**: Observe how staff members conduct themselves. If they are always on their phones, gossiping, or wandering aimlessly, it suggests a lack of control and discipline which could impact care quality.
By recognizing these warning signs, you can better assess whether the assisted living facility is the right environment for your family member. Trust your observations and your gut feeling to make the best decision for their care.
