Assisted Living Communities: How to Choose the Right One

Many years ago, my family was faced with the fact that my grandma could no longer live alone. Grandma was around 94, sharp as a tack, and did not want to live with me. Keep in mind, grandma raised me, so I was more like the younger daughter than the granddaughter. I respected her decision, and now that I look back, she and I would have been way too feisty to live together.

At 94, grandma was still very independent, but she was also afraid of change and suffered from depression and anxiety. My aunt, cousin and I began to research assisted living communities in our hometown. I was an occupational therapy assistant for many years and had worked primarily with elders. My cousin, who is a speech language pathologist, also had worked with geriatrics in our hometown, which was such a blessing because she knew right away the places to avoid.

What can you do if you do not have the inside scoop of where to start looking? The first thing you can do is begin to research. Here are some things to consider:

Reputation and Longevity 

Has the assisted living community been around for a while? What do friends, neighbors and your doctors have to say about them? Is there high turnover among the employees?

Management

Who is managing the assisted living community? Is the facility managed locally or is it managed by a company on the other side of the country? Do they have a local registered nurse and medical director?

Pricing/Cost

Is there a set fee or are there add-ons? What is provided? Are meals, laundry, medication management and housekeeping provided but with added costs?

Food

Is the food delicious? Do they serve foods that are geared toward the aging population? When you schedule your tour, ask if you can have lunch.

Fresh Air and Sunshine

Does the assisted living community have an outdoor area? Is there a place where your loved one can get that much-needed fresh air and sunshine?

Life Enrichment/Activity Programs 

Are there meaningful activities? Are they providing yoga, exercise and cognitive activities for brain stimulation?

These are just recommendations. The best thing you can do is schedule a tour and get a feel (and smell) for the assisted living community. You will know when you walk in if it feels (and smells) good. You will also be able to witness the interactions between the caregivers and the residents. This is vitally important because this will be your loved one’s home and the care they receive should be everyone’s Number One priority.

All in all, the Number One question to ask yourself when looking for an assisted living community is, “Will my loved one like it?”

When searching for my grandma, I had to look at it from her perspective, not my own. She was not a social person, she was very independent and she loved good food. We took all these things into consideration plus many other aspects and we found the perfect place for her. She lived there until she was 100 and a half!

Here are a few resources in the Quad Cities area that may be of assistance to you:

Area Agency on Aging – Prescott Office

3003 Centerpoint East. Dr

Prescott, AZ 86301

Toll Free: 1-877-521-3500

Alzheimer’s Association

3111 Clearwater Dr

Prescott, AZ 86305

Local # 928-771-9257

24/7 HELPLINE 800-272-3900

Arizona Department of Health Services

150 N. 18th Ave.

Phoenix, AZ 85007

602-542-1025

By Candace Lea

Candace Lea, MBA, is the community liaison for Adult Care Services.