If you are researching assisted living facilities in Northern Virginia, then scheduling visits and touring the facilities is one of the most essential parts of the process to ensure you find a place that is a good fit for your loved one. Seeing facilities for yourself instead of just in photos online is the best way to make a decision that will support you and your loved one’s needs. This guide will provide essential tips and insights for families to make the most out of their visits and help you make this life-changing decision with less stress.
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Research in Advance
Before touring any facility, you’ll want to conduct preliminary research on potential facilities in Northern VA. This research will help you to narrow down the options to the ones that fit your basic requirements and save everyone’s time. ALFs usually book visits at quieter times of the day, avoiding the mealtimes and morning or evening rush. Create a checklist ahead of your visit of all the areas you want to look at and the questions you need to ask. Remember, this tour is your chance to really get to see what life is like and put any of your concerns to rest before choosing the best facility for your needs.
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Observing the Environment
As you enter the facility for the first time, observe the overall cleanliness, maintenance, and atmosphere of the facility upon arrival. First impressions count for a lot, and if you have any concerns immediately, then there’s a strong chance that the facility may have more issues hiding behind closed doors. Observe how the residents interact not only with each other, but also with the staff members. It’s essential to find an assisted living facility where your relative will be well looked after and feel cared for at all times. Get a feel for the ambience and noise levels, looking at how the lighting and sounds will make your loved one feel. You know your family member or friend best, so you should be able to get a good idea within just a short while as to whether the facility is a good match.
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Interacting with Staff
The staff at an assisted living facility are going to become like family to anyone who moves in there. As they have such a significant impact on the quality of care someone will receive, make sure to keep an eye on staff friendliness and professionalism. Ask about staff-to-resident ratios, staff qualifications, and ongoing training programs to make sure they have the qualifications and staffing that you feel is suitable for this type of investment. It’s crucial that when you ask these questions the staff are open and respond to any questions or concerns raised during the visit, so that you don’t feel they are hiding anything from you.
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Touring the Living Spaces
After the initial welcome and first impression, it’s time to start reviewing the different types of accommodations available, such as private vs. shared rooms, and their amenities. See if personalization of spaces is allowed, as this living space customization helps to improve the quality of life for your loved one and will make them feel more at home when moving out of somewhere they may have lived for many years. Look for safety features, such as grab bars, emergency call systems, and adequate lighting, as these features are all critical in an emergency situation and show that the facility is dedicated to the health and well-being of their residents.
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Evaluating Amenities and Services
While the rooms may be perfect in one facility, you also need to weigh up the dining facilities, social areas and meal quality. Explore the common areas, such as lounges, gardens, and activity rooms, to assess the facility’s social environment. Ask about the activities they run for residents and things they do to ensure they maintain a high quality of life. Health and wellness services should be offered at any assisted living facility, so look into the availability of fitness programs, therapy services, and other wellness offerings.
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Questions to Ask During the Visit
As we mentioned earlier, it’s important to attend any visit equipped with the questions you want to ask. Discuss daily life and routines with the team, so that you understand how often they will attend to your loved one(s) and the type of structure they will have in their day-to-day life. Care plans and medical support should also be reviewed at this stage so that you know they are fully equipped to support your loved one’s medical needs. Family involvement is another topic we encourage you to speak about, such as the frequency at which you can visit and family activities and events that you can get involved in.
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The Importance of Follow-Up Visits
When making such a big life decision for your family member, you should always schedule multiple visits as you start to narrow down your search. Visit the facility more than once, ideally at different times of day, to get a comprehensive view of their services and how the team works at busier times of the day. Involve the prospective resident at an appropriate time to ensure they will feel happy in the facility you choose. You want to make sure they find somewhere they really feel welcomed and relaxed in, so that you all feel comfortable with this life change and know it’s the right decision for your family. Compare facilities by keeping lists of their pros and cons until you can make the final decision.
Contact Paragon Assisted Living today to schedule a tour of our communities in Northern Virginia. Our team will be excited to welcome you to discover all of the benefits of living at Paragon Assisted Living and to discuss any questions you have about the services we offer.