Choosing Assisted Living
Make the right choice.
By making an informed choice. When you, or a loved one, make the move to assisted living, it’s important to ask questions. Get a feel for the place, the people and the potential opportunities the home can afford to someone living there.
When touring an assisted living home, ask the following questions:
Environment/Comfort Level
- Do you consider the place to be a “home” or a “facility”?
- What is your first impression?
- Is the building structured similar to a home with comfortable sitting areas, clean furnishings, soft lighting, low ceilings, low noise levels, short hallways, natural light, plants, and an inviting dining room?
- Is there a pleasant variety in the color of walls, carpet, wall hangings and furniture?
- Are there outdoor areas for walking, sitting, gardening, bird watching?
- Is the home located in a quiet residential neighborhood?
- Are you greeted by friendly faces and a warm hello?
- Do the caregivers seem relaxed and attentive to the residents?
- Are staff members interacting with residents?
- Is management staff accessible?
- Is the owner on site or personally accessible if needed?
- Are the bedrooms and bathrooms private?
- Is nursing staff provided?
- Is there an activity calendar or program available?
- Is socialization encouraged?
- Are there adequate areas for visiting?
- Is the resident’s need for privacy respected?
- Is transportation and personal accompaniment to medical appointments offered?
- Are outside services, such as beautician and nail care, available?
- Are church services or devotions made available?
- Is the food homemade by designated dietary staff?
- Are all services – personal care, assistance with medications, meals, activities – included in the monthly fee?
- Is the home licensed and inspected by the State of Wisconsin?
- Does each resident room or bathroom have call lights?
- Are there “awake” caregivers on duty overnight?
- Is there 24-hour nursing oversight?
- For residents with memory impairments, are the doors secured to keep residents from wandering or exiting the home?
- Is there safe and secure outdoor space available for walking, sitting and relaxing?
At Tanglewood Assisted Living, the answer to each of the above is yes.