In the U.S., more than 41 million people suffer from chronic health conditions that cause them to have limited functionalities, particularly in carrying out their daily activities. About 12 million of these people find it hard to live independently. In Washington alone, about 16.3% of the population are aged 65 years old and above. While most of them need long-term care, many of them prefer to live in assisted homes. Given this, senior care for Bothell residents is focused on providing the best caregivers to cater to the needs of these older adults.
For families who prefer this kind of set-up, here are some tips to help them choose the best senior care:
1. Know What Your Senior Parents Need
Before you decide on a senior care home, you have first to identify your parent's needs. You have to know their requirements, so you can determine if you should go for in-home care or an assisted living facility. If they only need help in various aspects of their lives and budget can be an issue, you may want to opt for an in-home care service. However, suppose your parents can no longer carry out their activities of daily living. In that case, it may be best to have them in an assisted living facility wherein caregivers will be there to support them with their needs.
Make sure to involve them in the decision process whenever possible. Remember, they will be the ones whose life will change.
2. Check Reviews
Do your research about the possible senior care homes near you. Check online reviews that you can find of them. Find out what people are saying about their facilities, caregivers, and overall service. If you can ask for recommendations from friends, the better. Make sure that they have personal experience to qualify their recommendations. You may also want to check whether the ones on your list have some form of accreditations and recommendations from reputable institutions.
3. Visit the Facility
As you narrow down your list of facilities for consideration, take some time to visit each one of them. If possible, inspect every nook and cranny of the facility to see how they value cleanliness and order. It will also help to assess the residents in the facility. What do they look like? Do they seem happy? Are there signs that they are being mistreated? Look for subtle signs that may indicate whether they are a trustworthy facility.
A good tip here is to visit the facility unannounced. Often, scheduled visits give the facility enough time to prepare their place so it will appear pleasing to guests. If the manager does not let you in, take it as a red flag. They may be hiding something from you, and you don't want to risk leaving your parents there.
4. Ask Questions
During your facility visit, don't hesitate to ask questions. Ask about the caregivers, their credentials, certifications, and experience in handling elderly care. It will also be best to ask about their caregiver: resident ratio. Ideally, a caregiver should only care for three residents during their shift. Remember, your goal is to have someone assist your parents with their activities, and if the facility lacks caregivers, they may not be able to help your parents.
5. Factor in Costs
When you put your parents in a senior care home, you have to keep in mind that it is for the long-term, and your finances should be able to pay for the costs because if not, your parents can often suffer the consequences.
Choose your senior care home for your parents wisely if you want to make sure that they can remain happy in their golden years.
