Tips On Choosing Assisted Living Facilities In Massachusetts

| Saturday, October 20, 2012
By Mamie Conrad


Taking a family member to a care center is not an easy decision to arrive at. However, due to difficulty in meeting some day-to-day requirements, it is best to have them be at a place where they can receive assistance. This is a place where one should enjoy life just as they do at home. The points below can help you identify assisted living facilities in Massachusetts where you can take your loved one.

Evaluate the services provided. A reliable center should be able to provide basic needs such as grooming, dressing, toileting, and even bathing. The amenities should also be up to standards. Ensure that there are driveways for wheelchairs. As one gets older, getting up the stairs may become difficult. This should make the residents feel like they are just at home.

Meet with the staff. The employees should be courteous and welcoming. Most importantly, they should show an interest in assisting the person you want to admit. Take some time to walk around the facility so that you can judge for yourself if the residents are happy. You would want to have your relative in a place where they are accepted and they are comfortable.

Check if the institution is in compliance with local licensing requirements. The state has guidelines that elderly care facilities should follow. Therefore, check with the local regulatory agency to ensure that the place is licensed and it meets the required standards. Check when the last survey was, and if there were any complaints.

Think about the costs. Although your main focus should be securing a convenient place for your elderly relation, you have to be aware of the financial implications. Therefore, ask if the state will foot the bill, or you will do it yourself, which may require long-term healthcare plan. You should also ensure that the monthly fees can cover essential needs.

Check if the nurses have licenses. Although it is not mandatory, and elderly care center that has certified professionals is the best option to go with. This will ensure that the residents get expert medical attention. If the services are contracted, then the agency should be Medicare-approved. This will also assist in easing access hospitals during emergencies.

There should be a distinct section that deals with residents with special needs. People who have conditions such as Alzheimer's need additional care and they, as well as the general population, need enough space. Therefore, therefore, you should ensure that their needs are adequately catered for. Ask if there are enough staff rounds.

Check the status of security. Ask about the safety measures that exist around the living quarters and within the community in general. There should be guards around as well as alarm systems. Look at the staffing patterns and confirm if they are sufficient. Visit the bathrooms to see if there are grab bars, and if they are placed conveniently.

You should ensure that you choose assisted living facilities in Massachusetts that provide the feeling of being home away from home. Therefore, ensure that it can meet the needs of the person you want to place at the institution. Moreover, the staff should be adequate. Experts recommend that there should be at least 15 employees overseeing 80 residents. A doctor should also be on standby at all times.




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