How to Find and Choose Senior Care in Phoenix

It may have taken you some time to convince your parents about senior care. And now that they’ve agreed on it, finding the best facility has become your priority, especially as this may be where they’ll stay for the rest of their time.

Finding and choosing the best senior care in Phoenix can be overwhelming, especially with the many options. Considering that this is a major life event for your senior, you cannot afford to miss any crucial details that can help you arrive at the best decision. 

Here are some tips on how to find the best senior care home for your loved ones.

Top Things to Consider When Choosing a Senior Care Facility

• Familiarize yourself with the different community types

There are different communities for your elderly loved ones with amenities that cater to their many needs, so it’s important to know the differences. This will help you determine what kind of senior care facility is best for them, depending on their level of independence.

• • Assisted living communities provide support services in day-to-day activities but minimal healthcare assistance. Usually, the family is responsible for enlisting medical-related activities from outside providers. To learn more about assisted living communities, you may read Best Assisted Living Facilities: How to Find the Perfect Community.
  • Nursing homes employ highly trained professionals who will take care of the elderlies’ medical needs on top of the amenities included in assisted living communities. To know more about nursing homes, you may read What Is the Difference Between a Memory Care Facility and a Nursing Home?
  • Continuing care retirement communities (CCRC) are housing communities that help seniors transition from independent living to nursing homes when medical needs call for it. Some may have a one-time entrance fee with monthly dues, while others have a monthly rental.
  • Green house homes are a community model that combines care assistance and social residences for a personalized and homey feel.

• Determine the level of care needed

Not all elderly age equally—while there are those who can move by themselves, there are also some who need assistance in their everyday lives. For example, nursing homes are perfect for elderlies experiencing certain health conditions, including heart disease and frail bones. In other cases, patients with Alzheimer’s may be more comfortable in a memory care facility.

On the other hand, assisted living is more appropriate for elderlies who have some degree of independence but need assistance with household chores. So, make sure to identify and go with the facility that suits your parents’ needs.

• Visit and tour

It’s not enough to just call the facility. It’s also important to check the state of the location and see how they can take care of your loved one. When touring a nursing home, remember to check its cleanliness to see if it’s working and how the staff handle the residents. Know how well the facility can accommodate your elderly’s needs.

Pro tip: it’s best to visit during an activity to get the feel of the place and see the facility in action. 

• Compare services, facilities, and agreements

Finding a senior care facility means you’ll need to compare the other facilities’ offers. For instance, you can ask about their competitive edge or if they accept healthcare coverage and special amenities. You can also compare their staff-to-resident ratio to see if they have enough people to care for all the elderly.   

Most importantly, the amenities offered must cater to the needs of your loved one. It’s best to get the care package that matches your parents’ condition.

• Check the reputation 

Apart from touring the facility, reading reviews can help you determine if your prospect is trustworthy or not. Ensure that the facility isn’t bankrupt or for sale, as this may affect agreements and pre-payments. Also, check their state licensure to see if they are legitimate and qualified to care for seniors with certain needs.

To help you out, you can consult your local Area Agencies on Aging or search Guidestar for nonprofit facilities. You can check their performance reviews to see if they exert the utmost care in their services.

• Decide on the budget

Sending your parents to a home care facility is not your only responsibility. You also have other obligations such as house rent and utilities, your children’s allowances, and other expenses for necessities. You’ll need to identify the things you can compromise and your non-negotiables. This way, you can find the right senior care home for your parents without burning a hole in your pocket. 

• Do regular checks

Your journey to finding a senior care home for your parents doesn’t end when they’ve finally moved. You’ll need to regularly check up on them to see if they are doing well and if the home is treating them right. Regular visits can help reduce your parents’ feelings of isolation and loneliness.

You also need to check your bills for any increases, which may indicate a change in your parents’ condition. You can ask the staff how your parents are doing since they’re with them most of the time. Counter-check this with your parents’ attending physician to know what needs to be addressed.

A Home for Every Senior

There are several senior care options to choose from, which may overwhelm you in your search. Putting your parent’s needs as your top priority and asking their opinion may help you narrow down your list and decide. To help you out, Mountain Cove Care is a senior care home in Phoenix with activities and amenities your elderly will enjoy. 

Contact us today to know more!