Lately mom has forgotten appointments and dad has not had the energy to clean up the leaves in the yard and gutters. These are a couple of the signs that maybe mom and dad need help at home or maybe they are ready for a different living arrangement. Have you had the talk with mom or dad about assisted living? As holidays approach, it is a good time to visit that conversation and with a plan in mind. Also with the COVID-19 numbers rising, how do you schedule a tour for mom or dad to even check out an assisted living facility? Don’t be discouraged. assisted living communities are aware that a physical tour is essential to make your final decision, but a virtual tour can do wonders in preparing your parents for their decision. Virtually touring will help you view a location without stepping foot on the grounds.

How to Check Out a Location Virtually

1. Visit the Website to See Any Pre Recorded Tours or Activities

Oftentimes, senior living communities have activities or small pre recorded tours of their amenities. Starting on the community website is a great place to get going. Not only do you get a glimpse of the community, but you can see what kind of activities would be in store for you if you selected that assisted living facility.

2. Check Out Their Social Media

Visiting their website is a wonderful place to start and then you need to check out their social media pages. Their social media channels will let you see what activities go on there throughout the week. Are they often? Are the activities something you want to do in your aging years? This is very telling of the day to day activities of an assisted living community. 

3. Set up a ZOOM or Skype Interview With the Administrator and Residents

A ZOOM or Skype meeting is fairly easy in today’s world. Having that type of meeting with administrators, residents and some of the healthcare providers helps make the next steps easier: making the choice. A lot can be told in a meeting when you meet staff and residents. Also, it gives you a glimpse of what the facility looks like and not to mention that it helps the facility determine your living arrangement needs and wants. It is a great step to help you eliminate assisted living facilities or include facilities on your final list. 

A few questions to consider on your call are the following: What is included in the cost of the facility? Are all the amenities inclusive? Are there specific experts to assist with specific healthcare needs like wound care, post operation, or palliative care? What is the ratio of staff members to residents? Can staff administer medications? What is the visitation policy, especially with COVID-19? These are just a few questions to consider when you are on your call. 

4. FINALLY, Go on a LIVE Visit if You Can

This step may not be an option, but most places will let you visit briefly for a final look in your decision process. You need to make sure that what you saw online is what you are getting. Let’s be honest, you are spending your money to move and make life easier, so it is important to see the facility in real time to make sure it is where you feel most comfortable. Do not be discouraged if you cannot go through the entire facility, but seeing a few of the highlights will make a difference in your final selection.
No one knows how to navigate the best avenue during this time of COVID-19 but it is evident that there are several solutions to select the correct assisted living community for your loved ones. Online does not feel ideal, but it is safe and saves time versus going to many facilities that are on your radar as a “maybe.” Narrow your search to your top two or three and then take a quick visit, if the facility is willing and able to  accommodate you. Most assisted living communities will do their best to help you select the right choice for your next stage of living. Need someone to help you with the process of selecting the right choice for your mom, dad or loved one? Give Ann at Senior Living Options a call and she will help you with your search and decision. She is experienced on this road and knows the path to assisted living selection quite well.

Author: Ann Jamison

Ann Jamison is an experienced senior advisor who has successfully worked with hundreds of families to help them find the best care and home-like environment for themselves or their loved ones. Prior to launching Senior Living Options, Ann was an eldercare advisor for a national placement agency and served as sales director at a senior living community. Thanks to her 25-year career in advertising sales and marketing, Ann is able to discern between hype and reality for her clients. Ann recognizes that there are objective factors that need to be weighed when making a life-changing decision, but she can also assess the important softer attributes by getting to know her clients and by using the gut instincts that can only come through extended experience.