Assisted living homes provide a variety of services. The quality of care provided by each facility can be determined by many factors, including the facilities’ amenities, care staff, and resident characteristics. Transportation options are also important. A car can be a convenient way to get to and from a senior care facility. However, you should be prepared for unexpected challenges. Here are some tips to help you evaluate each facility. If you’re looking to make a change, you can read our list of things to consider when choosing a senior care facility.
Resident Characteristics
A study of resident characteristics in assisted living Toronto homes found that residents tend to be well-adjusted. The survey asked respondents to rate a range of resident behaviors and describe the frequency of each behavior. The responses were grouped into four categories: no impairment, moderate impairment, severe impairment, and severely impaired. The results are summarized in Table 4.
The study revealed that the majority of ALF residents were 65 or older, with more than half being 85 and non-Hispanic white. Additionally, more than half had a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, with 47% of residents living with the condition. In addition, approximately 14.3% of ALFs had a specialized dementia care unit and served only residents with the condition. Furthermore, the survey found that residents in these homes needed the most help with activities of daily living, including bathing and walking. However, a majority of them could not perform these tasks without extensive assistance.
Care Staff Characteristics
While the number of care staff may be important, it is not the only factor that contributes to resident satisfaction with their assisted living home. In addition, studies have shown that some care staff characteristics may improve residents’ quality of life. Care staff training interventions are a common proxy for care. This review examines the level of training for direct care workers, such as licensed practical nurses and registered nurses. Nonnursing staff is also considered in the review.
Organizational and staff characteristics are also important. In an LTC setting, care staff can be influenced by organizational characteristics. For example, specialized dementia care may have its own physical unit or building. It may also provide case management, individualized activities, and involvement of informal caregivers. Additionally, care staff can be affected by the culture of the facility and the case mix of residents. Care staff members should be able to respond to resident concerns and respond quickly.
Facility Characteristics
Quality of life in assisted living homes is an important issue, but many people don’t know how to measure it. A new study examined the influence of social involvement, facility characteristics, and social climate on QOL for residents in assisted living homes. The study included 55 interviews with residents from 17 facilities across three suburban Georgia counties. The researchers identified 14 domains of quality, including social relationships and meaningful ways to spend time. The study found that residents rated their homes high or low on all quality domains.
Overall, the results showed that residents with dementia had higher QOL in assisted living homes than did those with higher numbers of Medicaid-only residents. The study also found that dementia care staff were friendly and respectful of the residents. While these findings are not conclusive, they do point to ways to improve resident QOL in assisted living homes. Residents who were more engaged with activities, such as socializing and participating in community activities, and had higher QOL than those who were less engaged.
Transportation
Seniors who live in assisted living communities have the benefit of transportation services. Assisted living communities can take seniors to planned activities, medical appointments, and shopping trips. Transportation is an important quality of life issue because seniors can develop health problems due to isolation or depression if they do not have access to transportation. In addition, transportation is necessary for seniors to get to and from community events. Assisted living communities provide transportation services for residents who may have trouble driving.
Seniors with mobility issues may require transportation to perform their activities of daily living. A caregiver unable to perform these activities may be accompanied by a family member. When transportation is difficult or impossible, patients may be in danger of falling. In such cases, caregivers should seek assistance. Improper transport practices can result in life-altering injuries and repercussions. Moreover, caregivers must be properly trained to avoid any possible injury while transporting patients.
Memory Support
A full-time memory care community is designed specifically for seniors with memory issues. These residents may have greater needs than others and need extra help with everyday tasks. In such communities, staff members work round the clock to provide quality care and minimize confusion. Memory-specific activities and therapy are also provided. Certified nurses are on-site 24 hours a day to assist with medication administration and personal care. Memory support communities also offer specialized medical and dental care for residents. To find the right memory care facility for your loved one, begin with a needs assessment. During the assessment, staff will determine whether the facility has the right staff and resources to meet your loved one’s needs. Ask about the facility’s staff and how well-trained they are with this type of care. If you’re unsure about your loved one’s capabilities, you can always talk to other family members or consider a facility that offers memory care for seniors.
