Make the Most of Your Visit: Tips for Touring an Assisted Living Facility

Whether you’re planning to move into an assisted living facility or you’re looking to transition an elderly loved one into assisted listing, taking the time and effort to tour an assisted living facility is vital. After all, picking an assisted living facility may end up becoming one of the most important decisions you will make throughout your lifetime. You’re not just choosing where you or a loved one might stay for a few years: you’re deciding how they’ll spend their days and how much care they’ll get in their golden years.

Here at Heathwood Assisted Living, we recommend that every family considering assisted living take the time to tour several facilities. We hope every family makes the most of every tour they take. But we understand that it can be difficult to know what to look for when you visit an assisted living facility, especially if you’ve never done so before. That’s why we took the time to put together this list of tips and things to consider during your next tour. Armed with this information, we hope you’ll be able to find the perfect place for yourself or a loved one.

The Importance of Touring Assisted Living Facilities

Not all assisted living facilities are created equal – and that’s a good thing! Everybody is different. Two different facilities can be equally well-run, clean, and comfortable, yet one might be a fit for your loved one, while the other isn’t. The things that often matter most to our comfort and happiness are often the things that are hardest to distill in the folds of a glossy brochure or a list of services on a website. There are no shortcuts to determining which assisted living facility is right for yourself or your loved one. You need to visit several facilities with your eyes wide open and see which one will work best.

Scheduling Your Tour: The Best Times to Visit

If you’re seriously considering an assisted living facility, it’s best to schedule several tours several times throughout the day and week to gain a better sense of the daily operations and events that go on at a given assisted living facility. It may also be a good idea to make an unannounced visit, as you will likely gain a more candid assessment of the facility. And remember: while first impressions and gut feelings aren’t everything, our instincts can tell us things that our conscious minds might miss. 

Preparing Questions and Concerns and Engaging with Staff

Whenever you tour a facility, don’t just silently wander through the corridors. Talk with the staff and ask lots of questions. Be sure to ask about the safety and security of the facility. Is there convenient parking with handicapped-accessible spaces available? Are the hallways well-lit and equipped with safety bars and railings? What safety features can be found in each bathroom?

Ask about the resident-to-staff ratio to make sure there is adequate help available to the residents. Find out about their procedures for emergencies. Make sure the staff is trained and licensed to dispense and manage prescription medications. 

Next, be prepared to ask questions about changing resident needs. Does the facility offer various levels of care or just one? Ask how the facility determines if a resident will need a different level of care. Finally, ask what would need to happen to move a resident out of the facility, including the required notice period. 

Exploring Living Spaces: Room Options and Amenities

The next area of concentration is the living quarters. Make sure that each unit is clean and the temperature is well controlled. Be sure the units meet state licensing requirements. Ask if laundry and housekeeping services are included with rent. Inquire about visiting procedures: are family and friends limited to strict visiting hours, or are they encouraged to stop by whenever they like? 

Assessing Health and Wellness Services

Of course, your loved one’s or your own health is going to be your top priority. Make sure a complete assessment of needs is done upon intake, and ask how often each resident’s needs are reassessed. If you or your loved one requires some extra help with daily tasks like dressing and bathing, find out if there are trained staff members available to provide that help. Ask how residents keep themselves engaged physically, mentally, and socially. 

While you’re talking about health and wellness, be sure to examine the food and dining facilities. Find out if there is a nutritionist on staff. Ask to see a copy of the standard menu and any special menus. Make sure any special dietary needs can be accommodated. 

Reviewing Activities and Social Programs

Activities and other social gatherings go a long way toward making residents of an assisted living facility feel more at home. They also help residents keep their minds engaged and prevent feelings of isolation and loneliness. Ask if the facility employs a full-time activities director. Go over the events calendar to see what types of events and group activities are offered – are they things that interest you or your loved one? Make sure there is some type of fitness center available to residents.

Understanding the Level of Care Provided

Before touring any facilities, educate yourself on your needs or those of your elderly loved one so you know exactly what level of care and what services will be needed. Ask and be sure the chosen facility has the desired level of care available. It’s also a good idea to find someplace that offers more than one level of care, as needs may change in the future. 

Follow-Up Questions

After the tour, consider the facility for a few days. Then ask yourself or your elderly loved one a series of follow-up questions: 

• Is there anything about the facility that would be a dealbreaker? 
• What’s one problem you would no longer have by living in this facility? 
• Is there something you feel like you’d have to give up living there? 

Once you have the answers to these questions, you’ll know whether the facility is likely to be a good fit for yourself or your loved one.

Don't Have a Tour Scheduled Yet? Schedule One With Heathwood Assisted Living! 

Heathwood Assisted Living feels like home. Our dedicated staff takes care of all the daily chores, so our residents can enjoy themselves and their favorite activities. We tailor our services to meet the needs of each individual in our care. Even better, as our residents’ needs change, our services change along with them, so our residents are less likely to have to start the process over again at another facility. 

Might our Williamsville or Penfield facility be the right fit for you or your loved one? There’s only one way to find out. Contact us to schedule a tour today!