As you consider assisted living for your senior loved one, it’s important to make the right choice for the health, safety and happiness of that individual. Avoiding mistakes is essential. Empowering yourself with knowledge makes the decision easier.
Mistake #1: Deciding During Crisis Mode
It’s important to start researching and visiting communities before there is an urgent need so you can find the best suited place for your loved one — not the first available place. Rushing a decision during times of crisis causes added stress and puts your loved one at risk.
Visit at least three communities to observe staff and residents, and to understand the options available, what you and your loved one like and dislike, and how communities differ. Also ask about the amenities, activities and what continuum of care is available to residents.
Mistake #2: Making the Decision Alone
Deciding where your loved one will live carries a lot of weight. If possible, this responsibility shouldn’t rest on just one family member.
First, be sure to ask for input from your senior loved one so you can understand any concerns or preferences. This conversation may offer your loved one reassurance and create more positive feelings about the transition to assisted living.
Get feedback from other family members and friends who have gone through this experience. Also talk to your loved one’s care team. Bring other family members along when you visit communities to get additional perspectives. After you’ve visited communities, discuss the options available together with your loved one.
Mistake #3: Focusing on Current Needs Rather Than Future Needs
Assisted living offers your loved one independence along with extra help and care. Yet the move from home to assisted living is a significant milestone. Once your loved has moved to an assisted living community, they become comfortable in their familiar surroundings. But as your loved one ages and begins to face increasing physical or mental limitations, additional care may be needed. Not every community is equipped to provide higher levels of care.
When choosing assisted living, it’s important to anticipate future health needs — not just your loved one’s current health. Choose a community that provides the continuum of care and level of services required as your loved ones’ needs change. This will allow a smooth transition when the time comes so you don’t have to uproot and move your loved one to another community.
Find the Right Assistance Through Life’s Stages
McKnight Place offers the full spectrum of senior living. To make the transition easier from home to our community, a moving coordinator works with new residents to organize their move and helps customize their new home’s layout, decor and finishes.
At McKnight Place, assistance is provided in areas such as meals, housekeeping and laundry, managing medications and doctor visits, transportation, personal care, safety and security and physical and social activities.
When more comprehensive care is needed, McKnight Place offers both a memory care community as well as a skilled nursing community. Through this full continuum of care, residents are comfortable in a unique, home-like setting.
In addition, our nursing staff is available 24 hours a day and a certified geriatric medical director is always on call. This means families spend less time worrying and more time enjoying special moments together.
Residents expect — and receive — a higher standard in senior living at McKnight Place.
Come See For Yourself
For more information or to schedule a personal tour, please call 314-993-3333 (Assisted Living & Memory Care) or 314-993-2221 (Skilled Nursing).