A transition to independent living, assisted living, or memory care facility is difficult under the best of circumstances. With the added health and safety risks during the COVID-19 pandemic, families that are considering a move right now may be under additional stress.
It's important to know that most senior living communities are taking every necessary precaution to protect their current and prospective residents during this time. Here’s how facilities are keeping their patients safe, and ways you can ease the transition during your move.
What are senior living communities doing to stop the spread of COVID-19?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has offered guidance on keeping communities safe by reducing their risk and minimizing the spread of coronavirus, which most senior living communities are strictly following. The suggested game plan includes the following rules:
● Cancel all public and non-essential events and group activities.
● Clean and disinfect all common areas and shared facilities.
● Inform residents, staff, volunteers and visitors about COVID-19.
● Encourage personal protective measures.
● Work with residents to help establish a “buddy” system to ensure they stay connected.
● Limit the number of non-essential visitors.
● Screen workers and essential volunteers for symptoms.
Tips for your senior living community search and move
The key to make moving into a senior living community a smoother process, especially during COVID-19, is education. If you're exploring options with your aging loved one right now, follow these tips to help with the transition.
1. Ask a trusted senior living placement agency for help with exploring your options.
A senior placement agency helps prospective residents and their families explore and find the right communities for them. At Welcome Home Senior Services & Placement Co., our expert staff members specialize in matching patient needs to certain facilities. By learning about your loved one's needs and desires, we can help match them with the right senior community.
2. When possible, go on virtual tours of communities.
By visiting communities, you will be able to better assess which is right for your loved one. Since many communities are currently limiting visitor access, a virtual tour is the next best option for seeing what communities have to offer.
3. Ask good questions when you communicate with staff.
While many communities do an excellent job of providing prospective residents with detailed information about their communities, it helps to prepare a set of questions when meeting with staff. For example, if your loved one has a pet, you will need to know the facility's policies on animal companions. If they have a car, ensure enough parking is available for each resident. Want to ensure Mom or Dad has a full, active social life? Ask questions about their community programming.
4. Hold off on scheduling the move-in date until you feel comfortable and safe doing so.
Due to the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, you may not feel comfortable moving while certain Florida communities are still transitioning into Phase One of reopening. You may wish to hold off on scheduling the move-in date until your local area is further along in the reopening process. A senior living community's first priority is the health and safety of its residents, so if you're leaning toward a specific community, consider asking the staff if you can secure your spot but delay your move-in.
At Welcome Home Senior Services & Placement Co., we proudly represent over 500 senior communities throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, the Palm Beaches, the Florida Keys, and Lee and Collier Counties. If you have questions about moving to a senior living community during the pandemic or need additional information on senior living communities in general, contact us today.
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