Thoroughly research Assisted Living Facilities
STAFF REPORTS Gulf Breeze News news@gulfbreezenews.com

With the holiday season beginning to wane, most of us welcome some time to slow down and recuperate from the hectic schedule of traveling, shopping, cooking, entertaining and attending many holiday functions with family, friends and associates. While stopping to recall interactions with aging parents, people may have noticed some things have changed since their last visit.

Maybe mom didn't get as excited about holiday activities as she used to, or perhaps one of them passed during the year, and this is the first time they have experienced a Christmas or Hanukkah without him or her.

Maybe just keeping the house or balancing the checkbook has become overwhelming. Bills may be lost among a plethora of advertisements and solicitations. Shopping and cooking are becoming a chore that is avoided as much as possible. All too often, a fall or an illness may have left him or her incapacitated and in need of some assistance. Prescriptions haven't been filled or re-filled as they should.

It is not uncommon during this time of year for families to become aware that things are changing in their parents' lives and concerns for their well-being and safety arise. Avisit or discussions with their doctor may reveal other concerns, and people find themsleves looking for some answers.

It may be time to consider other living arrangements. There are several options available, including in-home care, day care, independent and assisted living facilities (ALF).

When looking at assisted living, considerations should include location, licensing, fee schedules, staffing, philosophy, cleanliness of the facility, how meals are provided, and services offered, as well as the activities program.

At The Villas, employees have an aging-in-place concept. They can go from totally independent to assistance with daily living activities (ADL's) to Limited Nursing and Extended Congregate Care (ECC), generally what a registered nurse can do with doctor's orders. They also have an Alzheimer's/Specialty Care unit. Hospice care, when needed, is also provided at The Villas.

Find out what assisted living facilities are available in the neighborhood by visiting www.floridaaffordableassistedliving. org/ or visiting the individual facility's website.

While this is a good place to start, nothing can replace a personal tour.

When visiting any assisted living facility, schedule a tour of the facility at meal times. Everyone loves to eat! Meals and the dining room experience are very important. This should be a pleasant social time. Find out the dining room hours and the procedures. What is the procedure if a resident cannot come for a meal? Are family members invited to have meals with their loved ones? Staff at The Villas provide meals for family members for a nominal fee to encourage them to join their loved ones for a meal when they can. Is there a private dining room? The facility should offer family members the opportunity to eat a meal together. Take the facility up on this offer. This gives people both a chance to taste the food and meet some of the residents.

A happy resident is a busy resident. When touring, ask about activities and means of socialization. Look at the activity calendar, look for large and specialized small group activities. Are there trips, outings and religious services? If loved ones are active, it's a good idea to keep them active.

While all residents in an ALF will be fed, receive their medications and have assistance with daily living activities. The socialization and peer relationships are probably the most important aspects of community living. A strong activities program doesn't just happen and residents should be doing things that are important to them, not just custodial.

Take a list of questions for the tour. No question is a bad question, and the more is asked, the more people learn about what assisted living means and whether it is the lifestyle answer they are looking for. Questions should address: staff attitude, friendliness and interaction with the residents; how welcome they feel on the tour; laundry and linen service and/or facilities for doing personal laundry; safety and security features throughout the facility; accessible bathrooms with grab bars in convenient places; emergency call system; licensed staff; medication management; emergency or disaster evacuation, for fire, flood, hurricanes, etc; personal care; dress codes; moving in and out criteria; bed hold policy; proximity to doctors offices and hospital or therapy services. The more questions asked while touring, the better comparisons can be made between facilities, and the easier decisions can become.

When finishing the tour, ask, "Can I imagine my loved one living here and being comfortable? Did I feel at ease while touring, and was the staff friendly and inviting? Was the facility a beautiful place to live and live in comfortably?"

At The Villas, families can have peace of mind in knowing their loved ones are well taken care of and their needs are being met. The staff welcomes and receives feedback from the resident council and from the residents' families. Locally owned and operated, The Villas is especially suited for seniors who need daily personal assistance. They understand the dignity and individuality of all their residents, and practice extra care in protecting their rights.