Three Questions to Ask When Searching for an Assisted Living Community

December 23, 2022 by ·

Beginning to look into any type of elder care may seem overwhelming for some. Many seniors don’t fully understand what assisted living is all about, what it offers, or why they should seriously consider it.

There are memes and jokes and an assortment of diatribes people have made up that attempts to belittle the benefits assisted living offers elderly men and women. Yet, at the end of the day, when you weigh all the benefits of different forms of elder care, assisted living always comes out on top.

 

Why assisted living is the best elder care option out there.

Assisted Living Daphne, AL: Searching for an Assisted Living

Assisted Living Daphne, AL: Searching for an Assisted Living

There are plenty of reasons, but the one that rises to the top is quality of life. Ask just about anyone in the world whether they’d prefer a higher or lower quality of life and you’ll receive the same answer: higher.

Now, how someone measures quality of life will vary from one person to the next, but the bottom line is simple: people want to enjoy life, be safe, have companionship, and not worry about every little thing each and every day.

So, when you begin your search for assisted living, make sure you ask questions (and the right questions at that). What are the ‘right’ questions? Those that elicit valuable information upon which you can make a reasonable and rational decision for your future.

Below are three questions you might consider asking when starting that journey into finding the right (or best) assisted living community for you or someone you love.

 

Question #1: What kind of support do you offer residents if or when they need it?

Assisted living is all about living (as independently as possible), but having the support necessary when you have challenges. It’s not about leaving elderly men and women to struggle on their own without any help.

Yet, not every facility will provide all types of assistance or support. Some may not be equipped to assist an aging senior who is dealing with memory challenges. For that, you’ll want to seek out a ‘memory care assisted living’ facility.

Some communities may take a more hands-off approach to supporting elderly residents, operating on the assumption most can take good care of themselves. 

In order to find the right facility, ask what type or level of support they offer residents if or when it’s needed.

 

Question #2: What activities do you regularly provide for residents?

Not every resident will want to partake in activities, but if it’s important to the senior, then you really need to dig in and find out what is regularly available.

That doesn’t mean other activities won’t be happening throughout the year, but the focus is on what happens consistently.

 

Question #3: What is the dining facility like?

The dining option at assisted living is crucial, often more so than many people realize. A decent facility should offer nutritious options, input from residents on what to serve, and a comfortable, safe, and relaxed dining environment.

When you ask these questions (among others), you’ll find the right assisted living facility for you or an aging loved one.

If you or an aging loved one are considering a move to an Assisted Living in Daphne, AL, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living at 251-317-3017.

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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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