Gearing up to move to a retirement community in Macomb, MI is a big step! It takes a lot of planning and organization to get everything prepared. Plus, it also usually proves to be an emotional time, as is to be expected with the nature of the transition. However, it can also be very exciting, as there is so much to look forward to at a retirement community!
One of the most important steps you can take when researching a senior living community is to go on a tour. Due to COVID, many places are offering virtual tours, but there are still going to be some face to face options available. Taking a tour is going to give a feel for the place and will help you to determine if it really is a good fit for you.
Prior to booking a tour, check out this advice we have!
1.) Take note of the layout.
When looking for a retirement community in Macomb, MI, you want to take note of the layout. This is especially important if you are someone who uses a wheelchair or who has limited mobility. After all, you want to ensure that everything is easily accessible. Are you able to easily navigate the community and easily find everything you need? Are the main living areas, such as the dining room, recreation room, or sitting areas easily accessible? This might seem simple, but it should not be overlooked!
2.) Use your senses (literally!)
If there is one thing you can rely on, it’s your senses. Take in everything that you see, hear, and smell. For example, observe the community – is everything up to date and appear clean and orderly? Do the residents and staff seem genuinely happy to be there? Are people smiling and cheerful? Think about what you hear: is everyone laughing and talking? Does the staff speak cordially and kindly to one another and to residents? Another good indicator when touring is the smell. If there are any foul smells, it can be indicative of unsanitary conditions.
3.) Check for safety and security.
Typically, one of the primary reasons seniors want to transition to a retirement community is due to safety and security. This might be due to the fact that their family home is no longer accessible. Or in the case of someone needing memory care services, they were prone to wandering and it wasn’t safe.
For this reason, ask yourself a few key safety questions:
- Is staff available 24/7? What about medical staff?
- Is there less staff available at night? How is it managed?
- For memory care, is there a color coded navigation system for the hallways?
- What about secure doors that can only be opened with a numbered code?
- Are courtyards and other areas enclosed or secure to prevent wandering or unwanted ‘visitors’?
Each community is different, so it is important to ask these questions if they are not already a part of the tour.
4.) Ask about staff certifications and training.
The people who are going to be responsible for taking care of you or your senior loved one is a huge thing to take into consideration. Not only do you want them to be friendly and treat residents with compassion and respect, but you also want them to be qualified to be in their roles. While on the tour, ask about the accreditation of the community as a whole, as well as what the staff to resident ratio is.
A few other questions you might want to ask include:
- Does staff come up with individualized care plans for each resident?
- What are the credentials of the nursing staff? CNAs, LPNs, RNs, etc?
- Are there any certified dementia care managers (CDCMs) on staff?
- How does the staff handle confused, disoriented, or agitated residents?
- Is there someone who is responsible for scheduling outside visits?
While these questions are more clinical in nature, they are vital! The staff here at our retirement community in Macomb, MI are happy to field any of these types of inquiries.
5.) Find out more about activities and amenities.
Moving to a retirement community should be all about kicking back, relaxing, and enjoying the best of your golden years. One of the best parts of moving to a senior living community is the fact that there are so many fun things to do right there on location! Here at The Parkdale, we are proud to have great life enrichment programs to keep our residents active, happy, and healthy.
Not only that, but we are also a pet-friendly community, meaning that your furry best friend can come along with you! We also feature an on-site spa, bistro, theater, and several outdoor walking paths. This is just scratching the surface of what we have to offer! Prior to coming on your tour, think about what amenities you want the most and what’s important to you.
6.) Talk about any continuing care programs.
If you or your senior loved one has a medical condition they worry might worsen with time, it is important to find a retirement community in Macomb, MI that can accommodate these changes. After all, transitioning a second time can be extremely stressful, especially if the senior isn’t feeling well. Plan ahead by checking to see what kind of continuing care programs are available and if they would be a good fit for you or your loved one.
7.) Trust your gut.
It boils down to this: you know yourself better than anyone. If your gut is telling you that something is amiss or the community isn’t a good fit for you, don’t force it. A tour is simply an opportunity to preview a retirement community. Before you sign paperwork, go home and sleep on it. Talk things over with your family, make a list of pros and cons, and if all else fails, just simply keep looking until you find the place for you!
Schedule a Tour
Interested in scheduling a tour here at The Parkdale? Contact us today to set up a time or take a virtual tour at your convenience on our website. Either way, we can’t wait to hear from you and answer any questions you may have!
