7 Essential Features of a Top Assisted Living Community

Finding an assisted living community shouldn't be a last-minute decision. After all, you want your loved one to feel valued - and secure. You'll need to be diligent as you visit potential options and decide.

Curious to know what makes an assisted living community great? Read on to learn about the seven essential features to have on your list of priorities!

1. Well-Trained Staff

You want to know that your loved one is under the care of trained staff members. When you tour a particular assisted living care community, ask about the training process. And ask what specific duties staff members cover.

For instance, staff should be able to administer CPR and other medical techniques. They should be responsive to overnight emergencies. And they should be able to help with tasks like taking medication or assisting residents as they walk to appointments or events.

Choose a community that has a staff-to-resident ratio that's low, as well. The last thing you want is for your loved one to be under the care of an overworked employee. Communities with high ratios run the risk of having tired employees on the job.

Fatigue can affect mood. It also can harm a staff member's ability to do their job well. Talk with staff during a tour and try to gauge the tone of the community.

2. Personalized Care

You know your loved one's health will evolve with time. That's why it's so critical to choose senior care options that understand this, as well. Choose a community that offers different levels of care to match your loved one's needs.

Your loved one may struggle more with mobility down the line, for instance. Or they may be battling dementia or other problems that impact their understanding of their surroundings.

Look for a community with 24-hour nurse staffing. Ask how often staff will check in on your loved one each day. And don't be afraid to ask for specific examples of care plans already in place for current residents.

3. A Friendly Community

As we age, meeting and engaging with friends becomes more difficult. Impaired vision may have led to the loss of a driver's license, which limits freedom. Limited mobility or chronic illness may keep elderly individuals at home more often, too.

Your loved one may be feeling this pain already. Worse yet, they may be wondering if moving to an assisted living community will make them feel further isolated.

Fortunately, one of the benefits of assisted living is the ability to find community. Most residents in these communities face the same challenges. As a result, your loved one may find that forging new friendships is easier.

Most assisted living communities offer a full calendar of activities to keep residents stimulated and engaged. These activities also serve as a starting point for new friendships. New friendships can be a welcome support, too, as residents encounter health challenges or simply want to talk about shared experiences.

4. Comfortable Apartments

Your loved one deserves a comfortable place to call home when they transition into assisted living. Spacious, clean apartments should be among the best features of senior communities.

Review different floorplans when you tour a potential assisted living community. You should be able to find a studio or even two-bedroom layouts to accommodate your loved one's preferences.

Look for apartments with windows to provide natural light. Regular exposure to sunlight is an instant mood booster.

Further, look for safety features like grab bars or call buttons. These features should be in places like bathrooms where the risk of slipping and falling increases.

While you're at it, inspect common spaces. Ideally, your loved one won't be spending all day in their apartment. You want to feel like they have bright, welcoming common gathering spots, too!

5. Good Maintenance

An assisted living community should show evidence of being well-maintained. Your loved one may have been proud of maintaining a manicured garden or landscaping. You want them to land in a community that also takes pride in its exterior.

Look for groomed landscaping and clear signage outside the community. The buildings shouldn't have chipped paint, broken glass, or other clear signs of wear.

Inside, look for signs that the rooms are clean. Floors should glisten and windows should be clean. You shouldn't see clutter or overflowing trash bins.

Avoid communities that look like they aren't investing in maintenance. This can be a sign that the community is struggling financially. Your loved one deserves to live in a community that values its residents enough to invest in upkeep.

6. Top-Notch Amenities

What does a typical day look like for residents? This is a fair question to ask when you tour an assisted living community.

You should check a calendar to see what activities are planned each week. Look for things like yoga classes, lectures, or outdoor walks. Some communities may offer field trips to local attractions off campus, as well.

Check the community's amenities. For instance, there might be an on-campus theater or gym. Or perhaps there is a garden where residents can plant flowers or vegetables.

Don't choose an assisted living community that's short on activities. The last thing you want is for your loved one to feel bored during the day.

7. A Secure Campus

Finally, you want the peace of mind that comes with knowing your loved one is in a safe and secure environment. As you tour a potential assisted living community, keep your eye out for signs of security.

For instance, you should see cameras mounted above doors. Staff should be monitoring those cameras, too, to check for illicit activity.

Entrances should have keypads or be accessible by fobs. All staff should be wearing badges with their names and pictures.

Outside, there should be a fence with a secure entrance gate surrounding the campus. Only residents, staff, and approved visitors should be allowed inside.

Find the Best Assisted Living Community

A good assisted living community should be staffed by compassionate individuals who provide personalized attention. Residents must feel secure and comfortable in their new living quarters. And they should take pride in living in a clean, friendly community.

At Campbell Place, we provide a warm, welcoming environment for residents of all needs. Our personalized care and top amenities make us the best choice in Bellefontaine. Contact us today for a tour!