6 Important Factors to Consider When Choosing Assisted Living in Richmond, VA
Older adults often need help with some of the activities of daily living— dressing, bathing/grooming, transfers, ambulation, toileting, eating, and med management.
An assisted living facility (ALF) may be a good choice if your loved one needs more personal care services than they can receive at home or in an independent living community.
Whatever the circumstances, deciding to leave their home can be difficult for your loved one. But by talking to them about their preferences before beginning your search and exploring options, you can help them make a choice that ensures their senior years are happy, healthy, and fulfilling.
Considering all the assisted living community options in Richmond, VA, picking the right one might be challenging. We put together this guide to help you know important things to look for in your search!
Location
The importance of location will depend on your loved one's preference. When looking for an assisted living, take into consideration the following:
Proximity to family and friends
Closeness to familiar surroundings
Distance to other healthcare providers, like hospitals or doctor's offices
Costs
Most people living in an ALF are paying with personal finances, so knowing what your loved one can afford is key information to know in advance. You should inquire with the community about other fees, such as upfront costs, monthly rent, and other additional services expenses (medication management, level of care, etc.).
There are other ways to help pay for assisted living costs, including:
Older adults who qualify for Medicaid have fewer options, as Virginia currently offers no Medicaid programs that pay for assisted living. However, some ALFs accept auxiliary grants for which your loved one would need to be approved before admission.
Ability to age in place/transition to a higher level of care
Moving from the independence of their own home to an assisted living community can be unnerving for your loved one. Therefore, thinking about future moves might be the last thing on your mind. However, they may need a higher level of care at some point, so knowing what those options are upfront can save you a lot of time and stress down the road.
Some assisted living communities in Virginia are part of a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), which gives residents the ability to move from assisted living to skilled nursing or memory care if and when needed.
Many ALFs have established partnerships with other healthcare resources and providers they can refer your loved one to if their needs exceed what the community can provide for their safety and well-being.
It's important to think about what you or your loved one might need down the road- be sure to ask the community what the transition to a higher level of care looks like in their facility and what those costs might be.
Services & Amenities
Services in assisted living typically include 24-hour care staff for care available, medication management, housekeeping, maintenance, wellness programs, and dining. Exploring each of these in more detail for each community you are considering can help determine which might be the best fit. For example, if your loved one has specific dietary needs or food preferences, you should ask the assisted living how they can accommodate these requests.
There's been an increase in services based on specific health needs, such as diabetes management and heart health programs. Many assisted living communities are also investing more in programs that enhance the quality of life for seniors, like:
Music therapy
Pet therapy
Art therapy
Cyber cafes
Spas
Community gardens
Locally sourced, nutritious meal options
Of course, these all might not be important to your loved one, but knowing what each community offers can help narrow down the list.
Activities
According to the National Institute of Aging, the leading cause of depression in seniors is social isolation and loneliness. While it's normal for them to feel sad or anxious when moving into a community, finding a community that offers an array of activities can help them thrive.
What are some things your loved one likes to do? Are there any activities they use to enjoy? When touring facilities, check out their activity calendar to make sure it offers activities and outings that interest your loved one. You may also want to ask to look in on an activity- are the residents engaged? Are they enjoying themselves?
Staff-to-resident ratio
The staff-to-resident ratio is how many residents one staff member is responsible for on their shift. Inquiring about the number should be on your checklist for potential communities, as the staff-resident ratio can give you insight into the quality of care provided.
How Benchmark Senior Solutions can help
Are you looking for an assisted living community for yourself or a loved one? With over 480 assisted living facilities in the greater Richmond area alone, knowing where to start can be overwhelming.
Here at Benchmark Senior Solutions, our goal is to relieve stress by finding your loved ones the assisted living community they need, including residential care, memory care, respite, and long-term care.
We offer free senior housing advisory services for Richmond and Central VA older adults. That means we use our knowledge and expertise to help your loved one find the perfect place to call home based on their medical needs, budget, and lifestyle.
Contact us today to get started!
