If a Loved One Slowing Down, it May Be Time to Consider Assisted Living

If a loved one is starting to slow down and would welcome assistance with personal daily care or have mobility issues requiring major renovations to their existing home, it may be time to think about assisted living. While there may be several communities to choose from, it is useful to have some insight into your parents’ needs when evaluating senior living communities.

A Place for Mom, an Internet referral service, explains a good place to start is to “compare factors like staff friendliness, amenities, and overall culture.” If you plan to do a virtual tour or onsite visit, come prepared with a list of questions regarding costs, care plans, amenities, programming, and general lifestyle and culture.

During your visit, observe residents. Do they seem engaged, happy? Are they encouraged to participate in activities and events? Ask to see the community’s calendar of activities. If your parents love to garden, does the community have raised garden beds and a gardening club? If mom or dad is no longer driving, does the community offer scheduled transportation to doctor visits and other appointments? Do they do outside trips to area shopping and local parks?

Remember your loved one’s suite is where they will sleep but the community as a whole is where they will live. Are the common rooms inviting? How about the outdoor areas? Is there a nice courtyard or terrace where they can sit and relax on a nice day? If mom or dad enjoys a glass of wine before dinner, is it available? Other things to ask about include the meal service, the community’s ability to handle both present and future care needs and how emergencies are handled?

MorningStar at River Oaks is a new senior community designed from the ground up to meet the needs of residents with a range of luxury amenities, senior care, hospitality services, wellness programs, and activities. Now open, our community offers assisted living suites in a variety of floorplans and configurations that range from 400 to over 1000 square feet. In addition, our Reflections Neighborhood has suites devoted to those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of memory impairment. For trusted memory care or assisted living Houston seniors can count on, please contact us or visit our website for more information.

MorningStar takes tremendous pride in the reputation we have earned for excellence and authenticity since our inception in 2003. We believe the human capacity to grow, to learn and to contribute is ageless; and we act upon that truth daily, as we care for, inspire, and love the residents under our roof. Contact us to learn more about the finest memory care and assisted living Houston has to offer.

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