Is a Residential Care Facility Right for You?

Making decisions for the care of your loved one is very important - how do you decide if a residential care facility is the right choice?  As you begin to explore the options, there are many factors to consider. Before beginning your research, it is important to evaluate the needs of your loved one in order to make a decision that best suits them. Consider factors like location, cost and level of independence, in order to choose what is best for your loved one. The following list of questions can help you identify whether a residential care facility is the right choice for the one you love:

Is your loved one able to safely maneuver around his or her current residence, including up and down the stairs?

Are you concerned that your loved one may frequently fall?

Can your loved one independently make use of appliances such as a stove or oven?

Does your loved one require additional safety equipment, such as bathroom rails or raised toilets?

Does your loved one need help with daily needs, such as getting dressed, making meals or using the restroom?

Can your loved one safely make decisions about the behaviors and intentions of others?

Is your loved one able to recite his or her address and phone number?

Will your loved one get lost easily, if out and about on his own?

Will your loved one remember to change her clothes on a daily basis?

If your loved one requires medication, is he able to remember it and take the correct dose?

Is physical, occupational or speech therapy a regular requirement for your loved one?

Can your loved one transport herself or make transportation arrangements for medical appointments?

One of the benefits of long-term residential care is that it provides room and board. If your loved one requires assistance with medical and non-medical care, or is simply unable to live his or her best life independently, begin your search of residential care facilities. The mission of most residential care facilities is to provide a healthy, safe environment for your loves one, while meeting his or her needs.

Most residential care facilities provide assistance and resources to their residents, to meet their daily needs. This includes assistance with dressing, bathing and meals. If your loved one is currently unable to perform these tasks to their best benefit, consider looking into long-term residential care in order to make them comfortable and ensure they are taken care of. Additionally, a residential care facility will provide help to your loved one with his or her bathroom needs, and make sure your loved one receives all of the proper medication, on a written schedule. In most residential care facilities, staff is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week to assist residents.

Taking the time to research and ask the right questions before choosing a residential care facility, will help set up your loved one to receive the care that is best for him or her, and provide comfort that your loved one is being cared for.

As a residential care facility, not only does Stephen's Place provide medical care and assistance, we also provide assorted programming, job coaching and volunteer opportunities. We encourage our residents to get involved in the community and we work with them to set tangible goals so as to provide them fulfilling, affirming independence.