The Search: Finding an Assisted Living Community

When you are searching for an assisted living community, be sure to visit several communities, and don’t forget to ask questions!

Finding a new home for you, or a loved one, is a very important decision, and you want to be well informed. Middlesex Hospital certainly hopes that you will consider One MacDonough Place, its own nonprofit assisted living community, but it knows that you must do your due diligence before deciding on a new home.

As you conduct your research, here are a few helpful tips to consider:

• Learn about how each community cares for its residents. What services are available, who provides them and is someone available to help around the clock – or just during business hours? Does the community have its own nursing staff or do other agencies provide those services? At One MacDonough Place in Middletown, residents receive customized, personal care to help them maintain their independence. Assistance is available for activities for daily living, including medication management and help with dressing or bathing.
• Ask what is included. At One MacDonough Place, residents live in private apartments that include bathrooms and small kitchenettes. Included in the rent are three meals each day, weekly laundry and linen service and light housekeeping, scheduled transportation and up to 50 minutes a day of personal care services. Most assisted living communities offer similar amenities. The difference: the cost. Ask each community you visit about their community fees, levels of care and average annual rent increases.
• Pay attention to the activities offered. One MacDonough Place offers a wide variety of activities, including daily exercise programs, gardening, painting and poetry writing and bingo. As you look at the offerings available, think about whether you, or your loved one, would participate.
• Ask about short-term stays as needed. While those who live at assisted living communities are often considered permanent residents, these communities can sometimes be a quick stop for older adults who are recovering from surgery or who need a safe place to stay for a short period of time. If this is what you are looking for, be sure to ask whether a community welcomes short-term guests and for how long. Also, ask if they receive the same benefits that permanent residents enjoy.
• Notice what the culture is like at each community you visit. Is it a more formal atmosphere? Are residents socializing, more mobile and having fun, and how are residents and staff interacting? Would you, or your loved one, be more comfortable in a smaller community where you can get to know everyone, or is a more lavish, populated environment preferred? Are there special treats involved? One MacDonough Place is known for its delicious cookies, and it always offers them to guests! At the end of each tour, consider your observations. Does the community feel like home?
• Narrow down your choices. After you do your research, it is important to select your top two or three assisted living communities. This will make it easier to decide, especially if you are doing the research for someone else.

For more information about One MacDonough Place, visit onemacdonoughplace.org or call 860-358-5802.

You can also watch One MacDonough Place's recent appearance on WTNH's morning show by visiting http://wtnh.com/2018/01/16/tips-on-selecting-an-assisted-living-facility/.