Do not select an assisted living, nursing home or continuing care retirement community based on esthetics! A beautiful building and surroundings do not correlate to quality of care and dignity offerings at a facility.
We know the gray tsunami is here as a society. Senior living organizations are not only providers, but they are also businesses. They know what draws families to their facilities and how to best market to the distraught, confused and anxious family. We eat first with our eyes. This concept is not lost of the senior market marketer. A smiling marketing person, cookies and coffee in the lobby and the current color palate on the walls do not indicate a well-run facility.
It means that the facility understood the competitive nature of the business and understands eye appeal. The consumer making the tough institutional decision for a loved one is anxious, fearful and in crisis. These organizations have admission coordinators that are marketers. They understand what drives the market and they know that meeting the emotional needs of the consumer is what fills their beds with residents.
There are some basic questions and observations that are essential for the quality of care and dignity issues in senior care. A few salient questions include:
As healthcare providers, we should lead the team. The facility has a duty to provide appropriate, safe and standard of care services to its residents. The family should be guided, not pushed into the best option for their loved one. As healthcare providers we are the experts and must demonstrate that expertise to our customers for the greater good of the seniors in our society.
If you are interested in a check list of items to help you make decisions, please contact me and I will be more than happy to help you.