Assisted living facilities are gaining popularity all across America, many of them are state and government funded yet an increasing number are private for-profit centre. Each of them offers various options and services to take care of your loved ones and provide a safe, comfortable and independent living environment. Assisted Living Reviews can be invaluable in helping you make the right choice for your loved ones.
The first step to selecting a provider is to research all the providers in your area and compile a list of possibilities. You can then use various sites on the internet to research the facilities and read reviews from other users.
Reviews typically feature pictures of the facilities, the key mission of the provider, the type of housing offered, monthly rates, and payment options offered. Reviews also include a description of the facilities, the grounds, and the rooms along with common areas such as dining rooms, lounge etc.
The reviewer also talks about the residents’ states and whether they were open and friendly or cold and withdrawn. The living conditions are described in detail as are the buildings and the decor. The review will also mention the services provided activities available for the residents to enjoy along with examples. Some facilities offer health clubs, shopping trips, hobby classes etc.
The provisions for friends and family members to visit are also detailed. The reviews provide details in all the following categories at a glance:
- Activities offered
- Services e.g. Barber, Housekeeping etc
- Payment options
- Amenities – 24 hour staffing, meal plans
- Number of residents, capacity, years in operation etc
- Special accommodations available
- Medical facilities available
- Reviews written by anyone who may have used this provider or service.
It is important to remember however that many of these sites enable the provider to publish the information themselves so if you can verify the provider using a government or state agency or website, you have a better chance of obtaining a more cohesive review.
If you cannot obtain any information from the internet or from calling any social work centers in your area, ask the providers themselves for names of people that you can call up to obtain further information. Some may be hesitant to release that information for privacy reasons, but they may let you interact with some of their residents or speak to some visiting family members.
Some states like the Minnesota Department of health have freely listed reviews of all the assisted living centers in the state. There is a comprehensive checklist for each centre, along with the details of each centre and also whether the centre is given a clean bill of health in accordance with states laws and guidelines.
In today’s information driven world – we would not buy a car or a vacuum cleaner without reading what others have to say, so don’t make a life changing decision for your loved ones without in-depth research and study of all the assisted living reviews you can find.