Wisdom Wednesday: Aging Wisdom's Podcast
Wisdom Wednesday: Aging Wisdom's Podcast
Senior Housing Touring Tips 6, 7, & 8
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In this episode of Senior Housing Touring Tips, we review the following:
Tip 6: Get the full tour
As we discussed earlier, a tour usually highlights the best parts of the community. And if you are looking at independent or assisted living, it’s also important to tour other levels of care in the community if they are offered in that building or on that campus.
Even if that level of care, such as memory care or skilled nursing or rehab, aren’t needed now, they may be in the future. We encourage you to tour those parts of the community as well.
And as mentioned in earlier episodes, it’s always important to observe how staff interact with residents and with one another in all parts of the community. Ask questions. Check for activities, events, and outings. Gain a sense of the day-to-day culture and what it would feel like emotionally and socially to live there long-term.
Tip 7: Staff Longevity
Ask to meet the General Manager (GM) as well as the Director of Nursing (DON) or Head Nurse. These are two key positions at any community. It’s important to know how long they’ve been at the community or with the organization or company who owns and operates it. The GM is who you bring concerns and questions to. The DON is responsible for managing clinical operations, leading the nursing staff, and ensuring quality resident care.
It’s also helpful to know about other staff as well, as they are key to supporting a culture of care.
Tip 8: Clarity on Costs
As Lisa shares in this episode, it’s important to understand what you will be paying now as well as what you may be paying down the road. You can use this Financial Worksheet as you tour to gain clarity on costs.
We addressed this topic as well in earlier episodes of the Wisdom Wednesday podcast – you can listen to them here:
The Cost of Senior and Long-Term Care Housing:
We have also included a Questions to Ask worksheet which you can download here to help with specific questions about each community to assist with differentiating one from the other, as well as making sure you have covered all your bases.
Questions about touring senior housing communities and how to narrow the options? We have the knowledge and expertise to help guide the journey. Click here to schedule a free, get-acquainted call with one of our Certified Care Managers.