Top 5 Things...

...To Look For In A Care Facility For Your Aging Parent

Are the residents dressed properly? Are they happy and content? Is there a general feeling of warmth and caring? These are just some of the questions you must ask yourself before deciding on the right senior care facility for your aging parent, be it an assisted living or nursing home, retirement community, or facility specializing in dementia care or Alzheimer care.

When choosing a care facility, look for:

1)    Services appropriate to your parent's needs. When catering to the unique needs of your aging loved one, a cookie-cutter approach simply cannot work. Different care facilities specialize in different things, so it is essential that you choose one specifically tailored to specific needs. For instance, many facilities are open only to patients with dementia, and Alzheimer's in particular.

2)    Qualified, compassionate staff members. Your parent is going to be spending 24 hours a day in the care facility you choose. That means every moment of her life from this point forward will be dependent on that facility's staff members. To ensure her physical, mental and emotional health it is essential that she receive the professional, yet personalized, care every aging parent deserves.

3)    Safe, clean amenities. The safety and cleanliness of a care facility is always a good indication of the quality service your loved will probably receive there. Plus, having safe, clean amenities is the surest way to protect your parent from illnesses and injuries that her body cannot afford.

4)    Affordability. One of the most common reasons people shy away from care facilities is the perception that the cost is beyond affordable. Granted, it is a significant investment but it is also possible to find a facility within your budget without compromising on the level of care your loved one will receive there.

5)    Location. Convincing an aging parent to live in a care facility can be a challenge for many reasons, not the least of which is their fear that they won't see their loved ones anymore. In other words, it's a good idea to look for a care facility in your parent's hometown where they have family and friends who can visit.

These criteria can be hard to find on their own, but it's especially challenging to find a care facility that meets all five of these expectations.

Fortunately, there is a free referral service that does the legwork for you.

ELDERLINK is staffed by qualified, knowledgeable people who screen and evaluate care facilities for you. We have operators standing by 24/7 to answer your questions at 800-613-5772.  Or, you can visit our website www.elderlink.org and submit a Referral Request Form today.

Dr. Paul Stallone and the staff of Arizona Integrative Medical Center hope you've enjoyed the preceding article. It is our hope that its inclusion on this website provided you with a fresh perspective and new insight into the subject of medical treatment. In the future, we'll continue to include pieces that shed new light on great ways to improve the way you feel. Are you dealing with an illness? Is it time you took some positive steps toward better health? A true wellness plan can make a world of difference if you know how to go about creating one. Continue to look here as we promise to point you in the direction of hope, help, and healing. And while you're here, take a look around our website and learn about the number of alternative therapy options Dr. Stallone and his staff can provide. Thanks for checking in, and be sure to visit us regularly for more great articles in the future.