4 Things to Look for in a Long Island Assisted Living Community
Choosing an Assisted Living Community for an aging parent or family member requires a lot of research and planning. It can be overwhelming at a time when emotions are already running high. This isn’t a minor decision either—wherever you choose will be your parent’s new and permanent home, potentially for a long time. For this reason, finding the right match is essential.
With so many brochures and websites to sift through, it can be hard to know what information you should prioritize and focus on. While some families’ priorities differ from others, we’ve created a list of some of the fundamental aspects of an assisted living community that you should look for.
As always, Assisted Living Locators of Long Island is here to guide you and your family through this decision, ensuring that you find the perfect match for your loved one.
1. Professional, 24/7 Assistance and Support
The number one thing you should always look for in a Long Island assisted living community is the level of care and support. After all, your family member is moving to a community because they require some level of assistance with daily tasks and upkeep.
Researching and touring communities is crucial to ensure that the staff is professional and highly-trained, as well as compassionate and respectful to residents. You also want to be sure that the community either employs or has access to a diverse medical staff, including physicians, social workers, occupational or physical therapists, nutritionists, and other primary carers like dentists and eye doctors.
2. Diverse and Engaging Activities
As you look at multiple communities, don’t forget to ask about what kind of activities, events, and programs are hosted. You want to make sure that the community offers various activities that focus on different areas of wellness—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual—and some simply for entertainment!
Ask to see a sample activity calendar to make sure there’s enough variety of activities that your family member can participate in and will enjoy. Also, ask the activities director if they take activity suggestions from residents.
Focus on Exercise, Fitness, and Health
Beyond a robust activity calendar, you want to make sure that the assisted living community you choose pays special attention to resident health and wellness. Most communities will have some type of fitness center, but it’s essential to ensure the fitness options extend beyond that. Ask about outdoor walking paths and trails, guided group exercises that cater to all physical abilities, and other safe, low-impact exercise options, perhaps even a pool.
If you have the opportunity, sit down with the activities director and ensure that they are experienced, knowledgeable, and passionate about senior health and wellness.
3. Quality Dining Options
One of the biggest concerns people have when looking at Assisted Living and Memory Care Communities on Long Island is the dining experience—what and where their parents will eat. Some communities have sit-down dining; others have cafes and bistro-style, and some have both. Ensure that the meals are nutritious, taste good, and accommodate your family member’s dietary needs and preferences. Most communities will allow potential residents to come by for a meal and experience the community.
4. Comfortable Living Spaces
When looking at assisted living communities, you’re not just looking for a care option for your family member; you’re looking for their new home. Because of this, you should guarantee that wherever you choose will become a comfortable and familiar place for them.
Make sure the apartments are as spacious as needed, in good condition, and equipped with proper safety features. In addition to looking at the private spaces, observe other areas in the community.
Making the Right Choice
There are many things to consider when choosing an Assisted Living and Memory Care Community on Long Island. While the ones we’ve provided serve as a primary place to start, you’ll want to consider your family member’s personal needs, as well. For example, some things that may be important to you might be proximity to yourself and other family members, pet-friendly, continuum of care options, and payment options. We encourage you to write down a list of all the things you’re looking for to help you narrow down your search.
We encourage you to reach out to Assisted Living Locators of Long Island. We are a free Senior Living Advisory service that works with families to match them with the perfect community. We are very familiar with Assisted Living and Memory Care options on Long Island, and we can work to ensure your family member feels comfortable in their new home.
For more information, we invite you to contact us today!