The Cottages at Chandler Creek

Finding an assisted living facility to help a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia live out their lives to the fullest is an important undertaking. The environment of the home selected and the quality of care provided can greatly enhance residents’ lives. That means taking a critical look at the available options is a must. Unfortunately, many families make rather common mistakes in their searches for outstanding facilities to care for their loved ones.

Here are a few of the more common mistakes made and tips to avoid them:

·         Being unrealistic about current and future needs – People who are living with Alzheimer’s or dementia often have highly specialized needs. While the demands might not be high in earlier stages of Alzheimer’s, they level of care required to maintain a high quality of life will grow as their condition progresses. With this in mind, it’s important to have realistic expectations about the level of care needed in the present and what may be required down the road.

·         Not delving into a facility deep enough – While it is perfectly natural to want a loved one to live in a comfortable, luxurious environment, there’s more to selecting an assisted living facility than just looks. It is important to look closely at the quality of care and the expertise delivered. People living with Alzheimer’s, for example, often require specialized care. Make sure it’s available and compassionate before making a final selection.

·         Choosing a community to match personal preferences – It can be very tempting to select an assisted living facility based on personal tastes rather than the loved one’s. Keep this in the forefront of the mind to choose a home that best suits the loved one.

·         Selecting based on proximity – While it is important to be able to visit loved ones regularly, the closest assisted living facility may not always offer the best fit for the resident. Keep this in mind and always go with the best fit versus the closest location.

Choosing an assisted living facility for a loved one is a big undertaking. Take time during the process, conduct research and put your loved one first and a good fit will be found.