by Greg Deris
I was recently speaking with an assisted living industry financial expert, and our conversation turned to why people choose a specific assisted living community over others in their area. Our conversation was helpful as I work to continue educating others on choosing the best assisted living facility for themselves or their loved ones. I hope that relaying our conversation may help you navigate a more successful but difficult journey.
Assisted Living Facilities: Is It Really About Aesthetics?
Most people start their evaluation of a senior living community with the real estate component. This is usually done verbally with questions, but sometimes it’s a silent observation.
- How big is the room?
- Do I like the layout?
- Is it clean, free from odors?
- Do I like the color scheme?
Then, the questions expand from there.
The focus is on what’s observed, the likes and dislikes. In essence, our senses lead the way. This is how we usually evaluate a home or apartment to move into or to build a house.
While these things may be important, they are secondary to the reason people began their search for assisted living in the first place. It seems instinctively that we look at the familiar and find our comfort zone, but based on observation with our senses.
We assume you are on a tour at this point, but phone inquiries are not much different. How big are the rooms, how much does it cost? Questions that may be important but, again, are secondary.
The Why Behind Choosing An Assisted Living Community
Ask yourself, why am I searching in the first place? Is the care becoming more difficult to manage, too expensive? Are medicine issues beginning to manifest; are there fall/incident events, recurrent hospitalizations, cleanliness and diet issues, socialization or safety concerns or just need a place to rehab temporarily?
Now, let’s get back to the why. The primary questions need to address your specific issues. So please re-read the previous paragraph.
Are you asking the right questions?
Are you focusing on the questions that directly address your issues?
What brings you to make this call or to tour?
It is unrealistic to expect an inquirer for assisted living or long-term care services to know all the right questions to ask or even if this is a good fit until a number of important questions are asked about or to your mom, dad or loved one. This will help ensure a clearer understanding of your needs—needs relevant to the medical issues and the health and well-being of the person requiring services.
When You Know What You Need From An Assisted Living Community, You’ll Be Prepared To Choose The Best Option
Focus on the primary reason for your inquiry to help ensure it is a good fit for either of us. The secondary questions will be answered best on a tour in context to your questions and answers. If this is not a good fit for you, we can assist you in making a more appropriate referral.
You will then have a better idea of what needs to be addressed and a better understanding of the relevancy or importance of secondary questions to your needs. Those secondary questions are usually more relevant for independent, apartment, and retirement-oriented surroundings.
I have experienced that the assisted living and long-term care industry largely focus on programs and real estate to drive census. What I have found is that just by simply addressing the specific needs of the resident, and demonstrating loving care and good communication with the people we serve far outweigh the focus on programs and real estate to drive census, especially when the care need is your primary focus.
That is what kept us full for more than 20 years – and it’s what will keep you enjoying the benefits that seniors love when they choose the best senior living community in the New Orleans area.
We Strive to Merit Your Trust – St. Francis Villa, The Assisted Living Facility of Choice In The New Orleans Area
Are you looking for New Orleans assisted living communities that put your care first? Contact us today to learn more about our assisted living community located in and around New Orleans.
At St. Francis Villa, we offer caring services aimed at giving you the quality of life you deserve – and more. Our goal is to help you receive the best in personal care for you or your loved one by addressing your specific needs.. Whether you live in New Orleans proper, the East Bank of Jefferson Parish or St. Charles Parish, Metairie, Kenner, Harahan or Jefferson, contact us today to learn more.
About the author. Greg Deris has been in the healthcare field for 36 years as a licensed nursing facility administrator and as the co-founder, co-owner, and C.E.O. of St. Francis Villa Assisted Living.
