4 Things You Should Do Before Choosing An Assisted Living Facility
If you're just beginning the process of looking for an assisted living facility that's right for you, you undoubtedly have lots of questions on how to choose the right one. The following four strategies will help you narrow down the possibilities.
Make a List
Making a list of amenities and services that are most desirable to you in an assisted living facility helps you narrow down the field so that you won't waste time with possibilities that have too many deal-breakers. For instance, if you wouldn't be happy without the opportunity to garden as much as possible, make sure that onsite raised beds are at the top of your list. If you appreciate lots of social interaction, look for a place that provides plenty of opportunities to get together with others.
Take a Virtual Tour
A virtual tour should serve as your first introduction to the communities that meet the specifications in your list. The tour should offer a clear look at all aspects of the facility, including the rooms or apartments available for rent. Keep in mind that virtual tours naturally strive to put the facility in the best possible light
Read Online Reviews
Online reviews are designed to provide prospective consumers with the opinions of others with first-hand experience using a particular product or service. When looking for the right nursing home or assisted living facility, be sure to seek independent reviews rather than simply the ones on the facility's website. Be sure to read as many reviews as you can, but paying more attention to those that are more recent may provide you with a more current picture of what everyday life is like there.
Visit During the Least Attractive Season
Many people tend to visit relocation possibilities during times of favorable weather conditions, and this makes sense if their visit involves traveling outside of their own communities. However, to really get a sense of what it might be like to live somewhere, it's wise to also schedule a visit during the least attractive season, especially if that season is long. You may fall completely in love with an area if you visit during the warm balmy days of late spring or the cool, crisp, and colorful days of autumn, but you may feel differently if you visit during the middle of a long, hard winter or a scorching hot summer.
Remember that this is one of the most important decisions you can make, so don't settle for something you aren't sure of. Reach out to a Heather Gardens real estate expert for more information.