Since picking a senior apartment community is a large and very important decision, you will want to make sure to do some careful research before deciding on one. We have come up with the following information in order to help seniors and their families find a community that will fit your loved ones needs.
Staffing
Many senior apartment communities have on-site staff. You want to be sure there is a licensed nurse available 24 hours a day in case there is an emergency. In order to make sure your loved one gets the best care possible inquire on the ratio of caregivers to residents. Don’t forget to find out if the community also performs background checks as well as drug screenings for potential staff.
Food Service
Many seniors have or will have a mobility issue which makes cooking for themselves difficult, if not impossible, as well as many also have special diets for their nutritional needs. Check to see if there are three, nutritionally balanced and high quality meals served daily – 7 days per week, 365 days per year. Do they offer a menu which has a variety of options for every meal? You don’t want your loved one living in a place which does not offer at least a few options because they may not like every dish served. Also, don’t forget to inquire about special diets and how those meals are handled.
Activities
You don’t want your loved one just sitting around doing nothing, it isn’t good for them and let’s face it, making new friends can be hard without something to encourage interaction among residents of the senior apartments. Ask about activates, computer or internet access, social events, exercise and outings. How often are these done? How do residents get involved and what all do they offer? Many senior apartment communities will offer an events calendar so ask to see an example of one, or better yet you can ask for previous month’s calendars of scheduled activities.
Transportation
As we age, many of us are no longer able to drive and catching a public bus can be difficult as well. Inquire about transportation services provided by the senior apartment’s community. Are there certain days of the week it is offered for activities, doctor visits, errands and worship? Sometimes there is a fee for transportation to and from the senior apartments, so be sure to ask since you will want to ensure that your loved ones monthly budget can accommodate it.
For more information on choosing the right senior apartments as well as other communities, Dial Retirement Communities is available to help you find the perfect community for you or your loved ones.
