Sending you loved one to the best assisted living places is not an easy task. It is so because there is no fixed yardstick to compare one and all. Besides it is an emotional decision.
Quality And Nature Of Care
The first thing that you have to decide is the amount and nature of care required. State sponsored free help is something that is not available. The second thing that you have to watch out for is the care quotient. The nature of care and the quality of help required. Remember this industry is labor intensive and yet there is always a shortage of hands. You definitely will not want to pick a facility that is understaffed.
The size of the staff and the care provided are closely linked. Ask for a resident to staff ratio. A simple way of knowing how involved the staff is; is to ask if they know the residents by name. The best assisted living facilities have dedicated staff.
Infrastructure
The next step is to know more about the infrastructure at the facility.
Understand space requirement and layout to check if your family member would be okay living there. A 60-year old who has lived all his life in a big house will find it extremely depressing to fit into a single dorm room with others. It will definitely not be the best assisted living experience for him or her. There are options of private rooms and sharing basis available. There are state wise regulations as to the square footage required for a certain number of people living together. Check to see if the facility adheres to the state laws regarding this. For example the California state law lays down that one toilet for every six resident is a minimum.
Check what type of food is served and know its nutrient value. Ask if they can offer special food in keeping with dietary requirements. Also ask for community dining and private dining options. And if you prospect senior needs medical help, check if the facility makes its own doctor arrangements and can manage resident medication.
Certifications And Licensing
These facilities are always regulated by licensing authorities so the best assisted living facility cannot be one without this quality check. The Division of Licensing Services regulates and monitors facilities state wide. Checks are conducted by them to ensure standards are maintained. You could get a list of licensed facilities from the office.
If you have taken care of the above there are good chances that you have found the best assisted living facilities in your area.