When it’s time to look for a personal care facility for your loved one, information is the best tool you can use to help you make that very tough decision. The good news is that if you stick to your initial instincts, you’re more likely to find the perfect fit. Your senses are the best tool and source of information to help you find your loved one’s new home.
What do you see?
Perhaps the first sense that will let you know this is the right place is sight. From the minute you drive up to the personal care facility to the time you drive away, no matter what other senses are being used, sight will play the most significant role. You and your loved one should like what you see. Pay attention to the little things such as licensing/certification and the visibility of onsite professional staff. For the latter, it’s critical to know if there is enough staff to adequately attend to the needs of the residents.
What do you smell?
As odd as it may seem, your sense of smell can also tell you a lot about the personal care facility. Take note of things like the smell of freshly baked cookies in the lobby or a recreational room filled with residents. Are the common areas free of unpleasant smells or odors? You’ll be spending a lot of time here, and your loved one will be living here. Make sure that it’s a pleasant environment.
What does it feel like?
In addition to what you can actually touch on the grounds, your sense of touch can also refer to that an unspoken level of interaction, such as vibrations. Specifically, what is the general feeling that you experience upon entering the facility? Some facilities may encourage a more intimate living situation while others may afford residents more room to spread. Both speak to the type of atmosphere that the facility is trying to foster. The only question is: what is the preference for you and your loved?
What do you hear?
What you hear throughout a site visit as well as through word-of-mouth should play a critical role in your search for a personal care facility for your loved one. Be sure to listen to things like the interaction between the staff and residents as well as between staff members, the sound of residents participating in activities, and pets. The facility may be quiet, which may make it ideal.