Don’t Just Move in Anywhere
Retirement communities aren’t the easiest place to move into. Many would-be residents feel like their livelihoods are stripped away, and it can feel like elementary school all over again. Will they make friends? Will they be comfortable there? Will the staff be kind to them? They’re all valid questions, and luckily, there are a lot of good and bad signs that indicate whether that home is for you—and we’re here to break them down.
1. Awful Online Reviews
While some one-star reviews come from unruly guests, a flock of them signals trouble. Many people use Google or similar sites to get the word out about poor living conditions, subpar food, and dangerous health violations. If that retirement home has consistently poor ratings, it’s best to move on.
2. Nasty Odors
Communities are like someone’s home—they, in fact, will be your home! Foul odors and filthy living conditions are a clear indication of what you can expect. Anything from dirty carpets in the main area to messy resident rooms sends a clear message about how staff view the place.
3. Staff Can’t Answer Questions
We don’t always know the answer to every question, but you’d expect the staff to stay informed. Employees should be able to answer any inquiries about monthly costs, resident activities, and meal plans. If they get cagey or flat-out refuse to answer, that’s another glaring red flag.
4. Food Trays Remain Full
You can tell a lot about a place based on the food. Take a look at the menu and see what’s being offered; the best places have fresh ingredients and healthy meals for their residents. Also, take a look at the residents themselves—if they aren’t touching the food, that’s a big sign of a bad menu.
5. You Can’t Find Staff Anywhere
We’re not saying that staff should be chained to their desks, but residents and visitors alike should be able to find someone. If you walk around and don’t see anyone, it’s a good sign that the place is understaffed, which can cause all kinds of problems down the line.
6. Staff Doesn’t Interact With the Residents
Residents have a hard enough time with the adjustment—they don’t need to get ignored, too. Staff should actively engage with residents, ensuring they’re cared for and comfortable. If employees look like they’re just going through the motions, it’s a bad sign.
7. High Turnover Rates
Nursing homes suffer the same fate as many sites right now: not enough staff members. However, there’s a big difference between a lack of people and a revolving door. Something’s wrong when a retirement community can’t hold onto its staff for more than a few months.
8. Any Kind of Forcing
Residents should never deal with any kind of forcing; they have the right to decline activities and still maintain autonomy in a home. However, terrible communities often have staff that force residents out of bed or make them sit for crafts.
9. Rooms Seem Unkempt
It’s not like residents are waited on hand and foot, but the rooms should at least be clean. Only the best retirement communities adhere to strict schedules and protocols; poor ones won’t really bother to go the extra mile. For those with mobility issues, it’s especially disheartening to sit in squalor.
10. Changes in Behavior
Now that all is said and done, pay attention to your loved one’s behavior. Happy campers won’t clam up when you arrive for a visit. They also won’t have a laundry list of complaints. Remember to keep an eye out for hidden signs of elder abuse as well, such as fresh bruises or money disappearing.
You owe it to yourself and loved ones to ensure the right retirement home. Let’s explore a few green flags that indicate you’re in a safe space!
1. Friendly Staff
Great homes begin and end with staff. When they greet you at the door, answer questions with thorough knowledge, and take you on tours, you know you’re in the right place. They should also be out on the floor helping residents or tidying rooms.
2. Plenty of Resident Activity
To get a good feel of the place, look at its residents. Are they out and about? Do they look well-fed? Are they engaged with each other during activities? You want the nursing home to feel like welcoming, not like a dreary warehouse.
3. Good Security Measures
The last thing you want is lousy security. Pay attention to anything from security cameras to safety measures taken in residents’ rooms. Homes should also have visitor management, keypads or passes, and emergency protocols in place for any wanderers.
4. Healthy Meal Options
Retirement homes shouldn’t feel like a prison, and good spots know that. It doesn’t need to be a five-star restaurant, but great nursing homes offer all kinds of healthy meals! They’re freshly prepared, ensure every food group gets its due, and heed any restrictions from their residents.
5. 24/7 Nursing Care
No one wants to think of their loved one sitting in a home without help. Worse, you don’t want to be the person left with bed sores or on the floor after a fall. Nursing care should always be available for residents—if you’re unsure of their plans, you should always be able to ask!
6. Flexible Housing Options
Good retirement communities offer various units for their residents. Not everyone needs round the clock care or struggles with mobility; more active seniors have access to different accommodations, or at least, they should.
7. Real Relationships With Residents
Caring staff go out of their way to connect with residents, helping them with any questions and ensuring they’re safety. It’s always easy to tell when employees have a genuine bond with those under their care, and it’s something to look for.
8. A Great Location
While you can’t always pick your community’s location, you can stil scope out different areas. The right home comes with whatever is most important to you, which includes anything from public transportation to nearby restaurants.
9. Accessibility
With more vulnerable residents living there, retirement homes need all kinds of accessibility: ramps, wide hallways, automatic doors, and roll-in showers all signal a safe area. Even seemingly little things like lowered sinks in the bathroom are a massive green flag for anyone in a wheelchair!
10. Fair, Transparent Prices
If you want the best, you have to pay for it. That’s how it is with everything! However, homes should also have transparent pricing models and staff available to answer any questions. They can also provide in-depth breakdowns of their cost, which prevents you from getting ripped off.
