4 Tips for Making Your Visit to a CCRC or Assisted Living Community a Success

Choosing an assisted living community or CCRC for a loved one is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Once you’ve developed your shortlist through your own research and word-of-mouth recommendations, it’s time to take a tour of each community. This is the best way to get a feel of the place and the people running it, ask any questions you may have, and see if it’s the right fit for your loved one. Here are some tips for your visit, from our CCRC in Sussex County, New Jersey:

1. Hygiene and Cleanliness. Use all your senses when you visit an assisted living community – does it look fresh and clean? Are the buildings well-maintained? What are the housekeeping and laundry services for the apartments? Bad odors throughout the community along with poor maintenance can be a serious warning sign.
2. Staff Approachability. The quality of the staff — both in terms of their training and their character — are very important as it influences care and quality of life in the community. Observe members of staff as they interact with residents — are they cheerful and helpful? Do they focus on the resident and engage with them?
   It’s a good chance to also ask questions about staffing, so you can find out how many people are involved in caring for the residents and how they are vetted for these positions. You should also meet with the management team as part of your tour.
3. Meal Times and Activities . Ask if you can have your tour during a meal time or an activity, so you can see what daily life is all about. Find out if you can join your loved one for meals, the quality of the meals and if meals can be prepared in the apartment or only in the dining hall. Get to know the types of activities offered and observe one or two to see how they are managed, if the participants are having fun, and if your loved one would enjoy these social occasions. 
4. Personal Care. Talk to your tour guide about personal care for residents and focus on possible future needs as well as your loved one’s current care needs, as they need to be able to scale services as required. While on your tour, observe other residents to see how they are being cared for they should be well-groomed (hair and nails too) and dressed appropriately for the weather/activity.

Get to Know the Community at Our CCRC in Sussex County, New Jersey 

Bristol Glen is a CCRC based in Sussex County that provides seniors with comfortable, serviced living arrangements that free up your time to enjoy life. Our continuing care retirement community residents enjoy independence and privacy on a campus with various care options should their needs change.

Contact us to find out more about our CCRC and our assisted living in Sussex County, New Jersey, please visit our website at https://umcommunities.org/bristolglen/ and book your visit today.