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Important Questions to Ask Before Choosing an Assisted Living

Written by Discovery Senior Living | Jan 1, 2025 5:00:00 AM

The American Healthcare Association found that over 1.2 million Americans find their homes in assisted living when they age. While there are many misconceptions about these communities, many of them are great communities for seniors to enjoy a connected and happy lifestyle.

To find a great community, you'll need to ask several questions before making your selection. Here, we'll discuss:

  • What you should ask
  • Why each question is important
  • How to evaluate potential responses

Read on to learn the most important questions to ask assisted living communities!

Questions to Ask Assisted Living Communities: What Types of Care Do You Offer?

Not all seniors require the same level of care. Some only offer independent living that allows seniors to be part of a community while taking care of themselves. Others offer assisted living.

In an assisted living community, residents gain access to:

  • Personal care assistance
  • Help with hygiene
  • Housekeeping
  • Professional cleaning
  • Laundry assistance
  • Accessible amenities

If your loved one is struggling to take care of themselves, make sure that the community you choose offers assisted living options.

This will give residents the care they need to thrive when socializing and engaging with their passions.

What Does Your Activities Calendar Look Like?

The World Health Organization cites one in every three older adults as being lonely. Social isolation and loneliness aren't just painful - they impact people's quality of life in numerous ways.

Loneliness increases the risk of depression and anxiety. Lonely seniors are also more likely to experience obesity-related health issues and hypertension.

Ask the community you're considering what their activities calendar looks like. The best communities will offer things like:

  • Game nights
  • Movie screenings
  • Crafting workshops
  • Church services
  • Wellness programs
  • Picnics in the park
  • Shopping outings

These questions to ask assisted living communities help you nip loneliness in the bud. You'll know that the community encourages seniors to interact and make friends. You'll feel more confident in your elder care decision-making.

Can I See Your Apartment Amenities?

Quality Florida communities offer great amenities for residents to enjoy. Seeing the grounds and resort-style apartments is a top priority on any assisted living tour checklist.

Check for apartment amenities like:

  • Comfortable furniture
  • Ample room to walk and maneuver
  • Suite-style bathrooms
  • HVAC systems
  • Window treatments
  • Kitchen areas with refrigerators and freezers
  • Pet-friendliness

This means more informed elder care decision-making so that your loved one can enjoy their golden years peacefully. Understanding apartments is one of the most important choosing assisted living tips because it contributes to comfort.

Will You Show Me Community Amenities?

A great living space is critical for senior wellness, but the community also should have several amenities that promote an active lifestyle. These may include:

  • Activity rooms
  • Game rooms
  • Lounges
  • Libraries
  • Outdoor relaxation spaces
  • Hair salons

Looking at these amenities on your tour will give you a feel for what life is like in the community.

You'll get a better understanding of what a day in your loved one's life would look like. You'll also know that the community grounds are clean and well-appointed.

How Do You Ensure Accessibility?

Those in assisted living have mobility and memory challenges that they need to overcome. This means having access to accessible community features.

Assisted living questions should always include inquiries about what makes the community and its grounds disability-accessible. Look for things like:

  • Wide hallways that are easy to navigate
  • Wide doorways that can fit walkers and wheelchairs
  • Low countertops for easy access
  • Plenty of space to move through each room
  • Grab bars to prevent falls
  • Safety bars to grip while in the bath or shower

Your loved one will be relieved to hear about these features when you take a tour together. They'll be more mobile and have an easier time getting around, which means that they can focus on relaxing and engaging with others.

What Are Visiting Hours Like?

It's important that you and your loved one can spend time together after they move into an assisted living community. That's why you should ask about:

  • Visiting hours for family and friends
  • How many people can visit at a time
  • Whether guests can stay overnight

Knowing when you can visit gives both you and your loved one something to look forward to. It can make the transition into an elder community easier for everyone.

How Do You Promote Senior Wellness?

Remaining active helps seniors remain:

  • Mobile
  • Flexible
  • Energized
  • Enthusiastic about live

Because activity is critical for mobility, it's important to ask how the community promotes senior wellness. Some questions to consider include:

  • Do you have a wellness center?
  • Is there a gym or fitness area?
  • Are there opportunities to work out independently?
  • Do you offer guided fitness classes?
  • If so, how does sign-up work for these classes?
  • How do you ensure that workouts are disability-accessible?

Wellness services should also extend to mealtimes. You can ask:

  • Are meals included in the base price of community living?
  • How many meals do residents get daily?
  • What types of menu items do you offer?
  • Do meals use healthy and natural ingredients?
  • How do you keep meal plans healthy?
  • Are meals prepared by professional chefs?
  • Do you offer social, restaurant-style dining?

Ask for a copy of the current menu to get a better feel for the food!

What Does Your Price Structure Look Like?

Budgeting for assisted living can be challenging. Knowing all associated costs upfront makes it easier.

Ask about:

  • Monthly rental rates
  • How much rent varies between floor plans
  • Entrance fees
  • What services does the base price include
  • Whether there are other paid services in the community
  • How much do these paid services cost
  • How often rates tend to increase
  • How the community handles increases in the rental rate

It's critical to know what your loved one is getting, but knowing how much you'll pay helps you plan. You can compare price vs lifestyle to ensure you get the most bang for your buck.

Find the Right Community in Inverness, FL

Now that you know some questions to ask assisted living communities, it's time to begin looking for a community where your loved one will thrive.

Highland Place Assisted Living offers comprehensive care and well-appointed apartments. We also offer a robust activity calendar and a wide range of community amenities.

Contact our experts to schedule a tour and ask the most important assisted living inquiries.