We are looking at places for my parents and in the dilemma if we choose a new facility or one that is established? As far as activities where they can just go in and participate or where they are still developing and everything is not set in stone.
My Mama still lives at home with dementia. Last year she had to go to a SNF for re-hab. Sister and i loved the new fancy place but they did not have re-hab. We just popped in and talked to the residents everywhere. Then in another town, I visited one alone. It was as old as I am. But the people that worked there were amazing. The nurses and aids could redirect dementia patients like an air traffic controller! Many had worked there over 15 years. For this situation of re-hab it was perfect. The food was also very good and the nurses and aids were eating there too. Also it was super clean. Keep looking around at every place. There will be something that tells your heart "Sold! To the lady in the red dress!"
With an established facility, they have had the time to work out the "bugs" or get things organized. Everyone knows where everything is and what protocols are in place. But, the building and furniture may be aging and may not be esthetically beautiful like a new facility would be.
The good thing about an established facility is that they have a rating of their service (Yelp, state board inspections, etc.) where a brand new facility wouldn't.
I'd go with an established facility. There is a lot more information on established facilities. I do recommend that you visit and talk with the residents of any facility that you are considering. If a facility doesn't want you to talk with its residents, that is a red flag. Also, visit more than once or ask a friend to tour the place so that you get a second set of eyes on the place. Discuss your findings. Good luck!
On the other side -- I placed Dad in MC in a brand new facility, and by the time he passed (8 months) they were at 50% capacity so he got lots more attention.
I placed my father in a rural, but newer facility. What sold me was the place was immaculate and the aides were all very caring Mennonite women. His sister was in the more established facility across town, but it was "dumpy" by comparison. Make a couple of visits at each one before deciding.
One thing not mentioned in your criteria is how close the AL facility is to where you live. My dad went to live in a facility that was brand new in my same neighborhood. The staff were enthusiastic, eager to please, and most had years of experience working with elders. The residents were on the higher functioning side, just reaching the point where it was getting difficult to live at home and willing to live in this beautiful new facility in the same area as their homes. For me the best thing about it was that it was a half a mile away from my house and looking back that was the most essential thing about the whole experience.
KV - at ages 65 & 69, that is really young. So what level of care do each of them need? Your looking at IL? AL? NH? Have they each had a needs assessment done? If not I’d suggest that be done before a place is chosen to see if there’s a match up in needs & services.
At their age, they could live another 20, 25,30 years, so do they realistically have the $$ to each private pay an average 4K a mo for AL or 8-12k a mo for NH?
Dear kv7900.....I'm surprised to hear that your parents are so young, and yet in a facility. I am 65 and still working full-time! Just wondering what kinds of health issues have required them to live in a facility at their young ages.
I guess I should mention that my parents are much younger than the typical resident (65 and 69) so my concern of having a facility that was established, they may feel very out of place whereas with not so many people it may not be that bad?
I agree that being close is important. I am glad that I can visit my mother on the way home from errands. Now that her dementia has advanced shorter frequent visits work best. However, that is just one factor. Do your parents have any preference? My mother clearly preferred the older facility, which she felt was more homey. Since your parents are younger, they might like the newer place and also there might be more people closer in age to them. And It can be hard to break into established groups.
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But, the building and furniture may be aging and may not be esthetically beautiful like a new facility would be.
The good thing about an established facility is that they have a rating of their service (Yelp, state board inspections, etc.) where a brand new facility wouldn't.
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So what level of care do each of them need? Your looking at IL? AL? NH?
Have they each had a needs assessment done? If not I’d suggest that be done before a place is chosen to see if there’s a match up in needs & services.
At their age, they could live another 20, 25,30 years, so do they realistically have the $$ to each private pay an average 4K a mo for AL or 8-12k a mo for NH?
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