You might think you’ve found the perfect assisted living facility for your loved one after thorough research and review. However, the real test comes when they start living there. You’ll get a true sense of the facility’s suitability by observing their experiences and gathering feedback.
Here are nine warning signs to watch for, ensuring the facility is a good fit for your family member:
1. Pay attention to any behavioral changes in your loved ones. If they are happy and speak positively about the place, that’s a good sign. If they complain or ask to be moved, it might be time to reassess.
2. Look up ratings from agencies such as US News, which evaluates 16,000 assisted living facilities in the U.S. If the facility has poor ratings, it might be worth considering a relocation.
3. If the facility has a history of poor performance, it may face disciplinary actions from state or federal authorities. It’s important to discuss this with the administration and ensure it won’t negatively impact your loved one’s stay.
4. Regularly talk to the facility’s administration about the services provided. If their answers seem unclear or unsatisfactory, it might be a red flag.
5. High staff turnover can indicate poor management. Notice if the staff caring for your family member frequently changes and ask the administration about their turnover rates.
6. Evaluate the atmosphere during your visits. If you notice poor hygiene, unkempt staff uniforms, a lack of cheerfulness, or general disorganization, discuss your concerns with the facility immediately.
7. If medical care is a part of the service, closely monitor for bedsores, infections, bruises, changes in mood, malnutrition, or dehydration in your family member. Severe issues may necessitate a change in facility.
8. Neglect of amenities, like malfunctioning air conditioning, broken light bulbs, or poor upkeep of medical equipment, is a clear sign of management issues. Investigate to determine if these are isolated incidents or part of a larger problem.
9. Staff behavior can also indicate the level of discipline in the facility. Frequent use of mobile phones, gossiping, or aimless wandering by the staff may suggest a lack of control and supervision.
By paying attention to these signs and combining them with feedback from your loved ones, you’ll be able to determine if the facility is the right fit. Trust your instincts; when it’s time to move on, you’ll know.