Senior Resources Housing 2017-18 Directory

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C HOOSING A N A SSISTED L IVING C OMMUNITY Room or apartment features • Can you furnish your own room and what can you bring? • What is the closet and stor- age space like? • Are pets allowed and what kind? Can they help you with any assistance you may need with your pet? • If needed, what is the 24 hour emergency response system? Services and Health Care • When is staff available? • Is there help with dressing, medications, personal care, and toileting if necessary? • Is there someone to help coordinate homecare, med- ical visits or therapy? • How are medical emergen- cies handled? • What services are in the neighborhood, i.e. pharma- cy, bank, religious services, beauty or barber shop? • How do you get there? Is there transportation? • What are meals like? Special diets? Snacks? Are guests welcome? • What type of activities and programs are there? What is available off site?

hoosing an assisted living community does not need to be difficult if you are realistic about several things right from the start. Be honest about health conditions, finances and personal needs. A residence cannot accept someone who is not able to show adequate financial information and support nor can they accept or keep any- one whom they cannot realistical- ly care for. The size of the facility can make a real difference. Small facilities can help a person blos- som or feel 'too close'. Larger facil- ities can be overwhelming or offer 'individual space'. The 'personali- ty' of a facility can often make a real difference. Look for: as ramps, steps, automatic or wide doors, elevators, wide hallways, railings, and electri- cal outlets. • Enough lighting, natural and artificial. • Odor free and clean rooms. Are they home like? • Is the temperature comfortable and is air conditioning avail- able? • Does the building meet local and/or state licensing guide- lines? Staff and residents • Is the staff caring and profes- sional? How do they interact with others as you tour? • How do the residents appear and interact? Building Features • Accessibility and features such

Assessments Contracts and finances

• Who does the initial assess- ment and who can or should be there? How often are they done? • How do they meet changing needs? • What is in the contract? • What fees are included now or could there be later? • Is there an affiliated medical facility or skilled care facility to which the person would auto- matically be sent? What changes would you then have to make? • Are there other affiliated ser- vices or are you free to choose your own? After placement in an assisted liv- ing facility, there will be an adjust- ment period. For the individual and the caregiver there may be relief that an appropriate living option has been found. However, the involvement with the facility does not end upon moving in. Work with the staff and home managers. Be supportive and stay involved. Be aware of changes. Have appropriate people involved in both new and regular assess- ments and service plans. Keep in mind that this is a new 'home' as well as a facility providing ser- vices. Both have rights and rules to follow. When working together there can be a real quality life experience for the resident. Article provided by the Family Caregiver Support Network of Interfaith Older Adults Programs.

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