Choosing an assisted living facility can be difficult since there are often many options. When you are narrowing down your list, there are several features you should take into consideration.

Location

The location of an assisted living facility can make the environment more comfortable for your loved one. You might want to choose a location that mimics their previous residence. For example, many people choose their homes because they are located in a quiet suburb or are more exciting, like an urban environment. You should take these considerations into account to make the transition from home to assisted living facility as easy as possible. Additionally, the proximity to activities and if the location is readily accessible by mass transit may be important. If your loved one does not drive or there is the likelihood they will no longer drive in the future, you want them to continue to be independent.

Security

The security protocol for an assisted living facility is not only important to keep track of residents, but to prevent people with bad intentions from entering the property. If the facility is designed more like an apartment building, there should be staff at the front desk at all hours of the day and night, and limited ways anyone can enter or leave the building. Some facilities choose to lock all their doors after a certain hour, which forces any residents or visitors to use the main entrance and pass by security. Anyone with dementia or related illnesses should receive extra security measures, since these conditions may cause residents to wander away. If your loved one has dementia, the facility should offer extra monitoring, such as a monitor worn on their body, to make it easier for police or family members to find them.

Activities

No matter the amount of help your loved one needs, there should be various activities readily available at the facility. In the case of adults with significant cognitive limitations, these activities might be performed by trained art and rehabilitation therapists who can design activities that help maintain or improve cognitive function. For residents who are mostly independent, there should be activities, such as art, dancing, and movie night, which can prevent boredom and depression, in addition to encouraging residents to interact with each other and form bonds. Some facilities might have weekly or monthly excursions where residents are taken out on day trips to go shopping, visit museums, or engage in other fun tasks. The goal is to move away from viewing assisted living facilities as akin to a nursing home and make the environment more like living independently, just with added supervision.

The features that are most important when choosing an assisted living facility will depend on the unique needs and personality of your loved one. Finding an environment similar to their current residence can make the transition a little easier.