There Are Many Options When It Comes to Assisted Living, Which Is Why Taking a Tour of the Facility Is So Important to Making the Right Choice

Across the country there are literally thousands upon thousands of assisted living facilities. Not all of them are the same. In fact, many of them are incredibly different from one another for a wide range of reasons. Some facilities are quite small, creating a more intimate atmosphere and a more personal relationship between the staff and residents. Some facilities have four or five star dining facilities while others may rely on something that may resemble a halfway decent diner.

Assisted Living in Citronelle AL: Taking a Tour

Assisted Living in Citronelle AL: Taking a Tour

Some assisted living communities focus on entertainment.

They might have a large flat screen television, DVD players, hundreds of cable channels, movie options, a grand piano in a foyer or sitting area, reading rooms, and so on.

Some communities may have better exercise facility options.

There are assisted living facilities that have incredible gyms with state-of-the-art equipment designed to provide those using the equipment the best opportunity to stay in peak physical condition and health.

What about the staff at these facilities?

Staff from one assisted living facility to the next will vary as much as the residents. Some will be incredibly well-trained while others might be relatively new to this field. Most of the staff members at quality assisted living communities will be well trained and have a sincere desire and compassion for helping those aging and even disabled seniors live comfortably and safely.

With all of these differences, it becomes even more important to take advantage of tours as they are available.

Most of these assisted living communities will provide a tour of their facility and grounds to prospective seniors and their families. They will do so at designated times, often on the weekends. Some people wonder why a facility will not allow them to come onto the grounds and take a look around at any given time during the week. They assume this particular assisted living facility has “something to hide.”

That is simply not the case.

The facility has residents who come first. Imagine what it would be like living in an environment where people would come and go as they please, strangers wandering around the hallways, checking out the dining facilities and even the entertainment room at all hours of the day and evening. It would not be all that comfortable for those who call this place home.

But, at the end of the day, taking a tour of a prospective assisted living facility is ultimately the best way to see exactly what they offer, the kind of facilities they have, what the rooms look like, and the amenities they provide. This will give an aging senior the right view of what’s possible and the chance to make a reasoned, cogent decision about his or her future.

If you or an aging loved one are considering assisted living in Citronelle, AL, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living at 251-317-3017.

About Cindy Johnson

Ashbury Manor’s Administrator since 2008, Cindy Johnson is a long-time expert in the assisted living field. Prior to her arrival at Ashbury Manor, Cindy managed acquisitions and crisis management for existing and new larger senior care project developments for eleven years. As regional manager for an Oregon-based assisted living management company, Cindy was directly responsible for operations for five 50-65 bed assisted living facilities. As manager during the transition to new ownership, Cindy reorganized internal operations and conducted leadership training for Executive Directors. As a result of her management and expertise, one of the company’s facilities (in Ocala, Florida) received a deficiency-free survey, resulting in the lifting of a moratorium on operation.

A nurse for 36 years, senior care has always been Cindy’s passion. Desiring to work more closely with residents, Cindy became a Category II Administrator in 2005. As Ashbury Manor’s Administrator, Cindy understands the complexities associated with dementia and cognitive impairment and she has fallen in love with seniors with dementia or cognitive impairment and their families.

Cindy is Treasurer of the local “Senior Coalition” chapter. She enjoys mentoring new candidates who want to become administrators.

As a 16-bed facility, with Cindy's training and experience, our residents and their families can be sure Ashbury Manor’s carefully selected staff provides the expertise of a larger facility while maintaining the individualized personal care of a small special needs home.
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