Finding the Best Fit for You or Your Loved One
Choosing a home is momentous decision, and even more so when you’re choosing a Birmingham assisted living community for yourself or for a beloved family member. There are so many things to consider when considering your options, and many things to think through to ensure the community chosen provides a good fit for you or the senior in your life. You want to be certain they have everything they could ever need, as well as a fantastic environment in which to thrive and enjoy their time– especially when you can’t always be around. You’ll need to find a community that works with your budget for cost of living, and meets a list of other factors important to you or your senior family member.
Location
Location, location, location. First you’ll want to find an assisted living community in the best possible area for you or for the senior in your life. It’s vastly important to be close to family so that visits can be frequent. It’s also important to find a community in a part of town that’s both pleasant and has easy access to shops and restaurants for picking up necessary items from time to time, and for fun outings to keep the days full.
Services
Naturally, when you select a Birmingham assisted living community, you’ll want to be sure it offers all the services you or your loved one might want to have access to during their stay. You’ll want to ask, does the community you’re considering offer services like assisted living, independent living, short-term stays, skilled nursing, and memory care? Making sure the assisted living community you choose offers a full scope of resident care is important as needs can change and evolve as time passes.
Memory Care
Memory care services for those who require them is also an important part of assisted living care. If you or your loved one is living with Alzheimer’s Disease or any other memory-related conditions, access to the care and resources necessary to effectively manage those conditions is of paramount importance. An encouraging, safe environment that also offers day-to-day activities to enrich the time can go a long way in making residents feel supported, comfortable, and, of course, happy.
Amenities
When selecting a Birmingham assisted living community for you or your favorite senior, you’ll want to ensure the community is up to your standards when it comes to available amenities. Make sure your loved one can feel perfectly at home in the space, with access to everything he or she might need. Amenities you might deem important include:
- Access to appliances for cooking, cleaning, and laundry
- Outdoor recreation spaces
- Beauty and barber shop on-site
- Secure entry
- Transportation to appointments and events
- Chef-prepared meals
- 24-hour emergency response system
- Staff assistance when needed
Culture
Environment is everything, especially in regard to the places we call “home.” Think about all the time and energy you pour into curating a home that’s a haven– a restful place where you can feel safe and comfortable. You’ll want to do your best to recreate that wherever may live, assisted living communities included.
So when you’re checking out assisted living communities, make sure you take note of the overall environment at the places you’re considering. What is the culture like? Do people seem happy there? Is the staff friendly and accommodating?
Check for an events calendar as well. Are there lots of scheduled outings and on-site events to keep residents occupied and engaged socially? The benefits of being socially connected are undeniable, and you’ll want to make sure that is a big part of the culture at the assisted living community you select.
From location to atmosphere to services available, there is much to consider when deciding on a Birmingham assisted living community. We hope this list of things to consider proves helpful for you as you sort through potential homes, and we hope you’ll consider Regency as an option!