What to know about this topic:
- What to think about as you research and begin touring
- Mistakes to avoid in moving and choosing
- Red flags to watch out for as you tour
What to think about as you research and begin touring
“Physical aspects like the building’s layout can also be important. Can you get around easily? Do you like the size of the community?
"Know the lifestyle you’re comfortable with. Do you prefer cruise-ship living, or something like a village?”
“Do more than one visit. Multiple visits will really tell you if it’s comfortable. Know what you need [in terms of] privacy, independence, and freedom to make decisions.
"Talk to people in different daily settings, to get their view about what it’s like living there.
"Or walk around and ask yourself, ‘Is this a place [where] people feel like me? Do I have things in common with these people?’”
“When you’re shopping for a house, you get a feeling when you walk in. You just know. It can be the same way with looking for a retirement home.
"Communities each have a culture and an energy, so when you walk in, pay attention to how you feel. Look at how residents look and feel and how staff interact with them. These are key things to watch and to get a feel for.”
“It’s easy to get distracted by bells and whistles. Keep your list of ‘must haves’ firmly in mind. If your parent really wants some outdoor gardening opportunities, don’t get distracted by the pool and spa if that’s not what they value.”
Mistakes to avoid in moving and choosing
“We’ve witnessed moves that didn’t work out because of a rush in the search, led by an urgent need. Perhaps the senior was in the hospital and when they’re discharged, they can’t go home. They require care, and there’s an urgency to search for a place to go after the hospital.
"They move, not having had the time to learn more about all their options, the various communities, and what they each have to offer. Sometimes it’s not the right fit. They’re sometimes left at the beginning of their search all over again.
"It can also lead to cases where people declined unexpectedly or weren’t able to experience everything a retirement community has to offer.”
“Parents may wish to move near their adult children, but think twice before relocating from existing support systems such as their church, doctor, and old friends.”
Red flags to watch out for as you tour
“Raise a red flag if residents seem unhappy or unwillingto talk or are unkempt, if food is limited on the menu or poorly prepared. Is the staff indifferent?
"Do furniture and fittings seem worn or shabby? Is the building in poor repair? Better look elsewhere.”
“Be aware of how much you or your parents need [in terms of] privacy, independence, and freedom to make decisions about things. Some retirement homes are pretty [firm] in how they operate.
"I’d want to see what rules there are, and if the rules feel restrictive, that’s a red flag.”
“Residents should be treated with absolute respect. If staff call them ‘love’ or ‘dear’ or share whispered confidences with you as you pass the resident, that’s the mark of a custodial atmosphere.
"None of us, regardless of age, wants to be patronized or spoken about to others.”
“It’s important to know, at what point the retirement residence would ask someone or suggest that they need to find another place. They should acknowledge care limitations. A lot of them won’t be able to accommodate anyone who wanders. Some have limitations on behavioural issues. These things should be transparent.
"Families should be able to talk openly about them with the retirement home staff.”
