Choosing Assisted Living in Mobile AL: Where to Begin the Search

Choosing assisted living for your aging family member isn’t always an easy decision; therefore, when choosing a facility, you want to be sure you are finding a great fit for your loved one.  This transition will be even harder on your loved one than it is for you; however, making the move as enjoyable as possible to a loving and caring facility will make things a little easier. There are several things to consider in choosing an assisted living facility and you want to make sure you are choosing a home for your loved one that is going to suit all of their needs.Assisted Living Mobile AL

The following are some tips that can get you started in searching for an assisted living facility for your loved one:

  • The first thing to consider before looking at facilities is the needs of your senior loved one.  Do they need meal preparation? Can they live in an apartment by themselves?  Do they have physical limitations?  What kind of activities are they looking for?  What area is the most convenient?  What is affordable for your loved one and your family?  The list of questions could go on and on, but this should give you an idea of the things to consider before even looking at a list of facilities.
  • Once you’ve decided on what the needs are for you senior loved one and what your family can afford, you can begin your visits to facilities in the area of choice. After visiting the buildings, you should narrow your list down to three choices and make a second visit; this might include your senior loved one as well.  You don’t want to overwhelm them with too many choices so once you’ve narrowed down the list, this might be a good time for them to visit their potential new home.  These second visits might include introducing your loved one to some of the staff, tasting the food at the facility, looking at the grounds of the facility, and reviewing the activities and amenities that are offered.
  • Have a talk with your senior loved one after the visits to get their feedback.  After all, this will become their permanent home so you want to be sure they will be comfortable with their new surroundings.
  • For personal comfort, you will want to check with the state on the track record of the facility.  Have any complaints been filed?  If so, what were they and how were they resolved?  You might want to look at inspection reports of the facility, making sure that it is up to code, and a clean building.
  • Before signing any type of contract, you will want to be sure that everyone involved in the decision-making is clear on the costs, and exactly what is included in the costs.  Read the contract and be sure that all aspects of personal care, health care, meals, transportation, living space, activities, accessibility, and safety are spelled out in the contract, and that you are agreeable to the terms.

There are many other things to consider when making the decision on an assisted living facility, but these tips can give you a start and get the mind going on other questions that you might want answered.  Remember, this should be a positive transition for your senior loved one.  Doing all of the proper research and making joint decisions will make this a pleasant experience for everyone.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Assisted Living, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living  in Mobile  AL,  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.
Google Verified Author