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Choosing a Senior Facility Should Make Sense *ONLINE ONLY*

March 2024

By Gary Calligas

• the current home and yard are too much to handle

• cheaper and less expenses

• closer to children and grandchildren

• health issues necessitate assistance with the activities of daily living or total care

Senior living options range from independent living facilities to assisted living to nursing home. Once you’ve decided on the type of living option, how do you decide which one is best for you? You can rely on a number of checklists which are available online to make your choice, but they are long and complex and may give you so much information that comparing options may be difficult. I suggest that you or a family member tour as many facilities as possible and use your senses - sight, smell, hearing, touch, taste, and that all important “sixth sense”, your gut instinct – to make your choice.

SIGHT -- Upon arriving at a facility, pay close attention to the exterior of the building, landscaping, parking lot, and interior common areas. They should be clean, well maintained, easily accessible, uncluttered, and well lighted. If you’re shown a “model” apartment, ask to see an actual unit. Pay close attention to the residents to ensure that they are well groomed, dressed appropriately, are engaged in activities and appear happy. Pay attention to the friendliness, attitude, and attentiveness of the staff to the residents. Ask to see a copy of the activities schedule. If an activity is scheduled during your tour, note whether the residents participating and enthusiastic. Read brochures and any contracts that you are asked to sign carefully.

SMELL – Odors throughout a facility may indicate an overall lack of cleanliness or a lack of attentiveness to residents that are incontinent. Too many flowers or the over use of fragrance may be an effort to mask odors. If touring during meal time is the smell of the food appetizing.

HEAR ING -- Listen to residents interacting with each other to note if they appear happy and content. Listen to the interaction of the staff with residents. Are they attentive, make good eye contact, treat the residents with respect and dignity, and appear to really listen? Is the facility excessively noisy or uncharacteristically quiet? Chat with the residents or their family members for their honest feedback on the facility. Ask specific questions about the facility, staffing, security, and safety procedures and listen attentively to the answers.

TOUCH – Sit on furniture in common areas to ensure that they are clean and comfortable. Take note of dusty or sticky furniture as it could be a breeding ground for bacteria and germs. Open and close doors, drawers, and cabinets for ease of opening. Walk around to make sure that you can easily navigate from one area of the facility to another.

TASTE – Schedule your tour during a meal as food quality and quantity are major factors in resident satisfaction. The food should be tasty, varied, nutritious, attractively presented, and the portions should be adequate.

SIXTH SENSE -- Last but probably definitely not least is that all important “sixth sense”, your gut instinct. Can you see yourself living in the facility? Do you feel welcome and at ease? Do you feel that the staff was open and honest with the information they presented? Trust your instincts. If it doesn’t feel right, keep looking.

Evaluation of your senses during a personal tour can greatly assist you or your loved one in making the right choice for their senior living option. However, equally important is to ask questions and specifically determine if the facility can or will meet your individual special needs.

Gary L. Calligas is the publisher of The Best of Times, a free monthly magazine for mature adults in Northwest Louisiana and is the host of The Best of Times Radio Hour which airs at 9:05 am every Saturday on NEWS RADIO 710 KEEL.