Choosing an assisted living community is a hard, and often emotional decision. Besides dealing with the fact that your once hale and hearty loved one is now incapable of taking care of him- or herself, you now have to pick the most suitable community out of more than 300 in Alaska.
Where to start?
Faced with the myriad choices available, choosing the best assisted living community for your loved one can be daunting. However, this list of factors should help you narrow down your choices and make the decision easier. One thing to keep in mind throughout the process is to involve your loved one as much as possible. Take their preferences into account. They may want to be close to their friends or be in the neighborhood they have lived in all their lives. Talk to them and get their input on the decision.
Location
If you do not stay in the same area as your loved one, discuss general locations with them, and come to an agreement. Other factors to consider include whether the community is centrally located in Anchorage, or is located close to where you live. If you live in more remote areas of Alaska, Anchorage provides an international airport that will make it easier to visit your loved one. Anchorage also provides for the largest hospitals in Alaska.
Needs
Does your loved one need round-the-clock assistance or simply a reminder to take their pills and eat their meals? Do they need help with bathing or just grab bars in the bathroom? Determining what your loved one’s needs are will narrow down your list of choices as the types of care is different from one facility to another.
Sense of Community
Once you have narrowed your list down to a manageable number of facilities, visit each one to get a feel for the sense of community at the facility. Do the residents seem happy there? Does the facility provide bingo games and other entertainment option? Are the staff friendly, helpful and caring?
Well-being
While you’re at the community, ask to have a meal with the residents. Do you like the quality of the food, and more importantly, is it suitable for your loved one’s palette? Also, is the community furnished with safety measures like non-slip mats and grab bars in the bathroom? If your loved one likes to take walks, does the community have a community walking path that they can stroll on? Are the community areas inviting, and allow for beautiful views of the Chugach Mountains?
Living at Baxter Senior Living in Anchorage Alaska At Baxter Senior Living, we work to ensure that our community is an extension of your loved ones family. If you are at a place in your life that you need to discuss Anchorage Assisted Living, Anchorage Memory Care, or Anchorage Respite Care please reach out today. We are happy to help answer any questions. Contact a Baxter Senior Living Representative today! 907-865-3500
