Know Your Rights: Family Resources

Just beginning the process of looking for a higher level of care for your loved one can be overwhelming and daunting.  You listen to the advice of friends and family and those who have gone through this process. You do your research online, Google different places, look at reviews, etc. You tour facilities to see for yourself, scrutinize every detail, and ask as many questions that you can think of.  Even after all of this, you still having feelings of unclarity and confusion.  

This is potentially one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever have to make. You feel as though you are disrupting your loved one’s life, ripping them away from the family, and placing them in a “home”.  While we can tell you not to feel this way, that you are doing right by your loved ones, that this decision can improve their quality of life, it’s much easier said than done.

So, what can we do to convince you that your are making the right decision? We can give you the facts. We can send you home with all the information you need to make an informed decision.  There is so much to know, and usually such a short time frame to get all the information you need.  

Make sure to look at every community’s Department of Health survey.  This will tell you the results of their most recent survey, any complaints that have been made against the facility, and the findings.  You should be able to locate this in the front foyer of any community.  If you can’t find it, make sure to ask for it! The Department of Health puts strict regulations on every community to ensure the safety and fair treatment of seniors.  This is in your best interest to look! Don’t want to go to every community to look at their DOH survey? Don’t worry! You can check it out here: https://www.health.ny.gov/facilities/adult_care/reports.htm.

Beware of online scams.  There are companies that mask themselves as a resource, but they truly aren’t! You may think you are inquiring about information from a facility, or an accredited group.  They will sound like they are a part of the community you are inquiring about-- but they are sharks and are looking to make money off of you. They tend to call you multiple times a day/a week, and will send your information to many different people.  For example, if you are inquiring about Alzheimer’s information-make sure you are contacting the Alzheimer’s Association.  They will give you helpful tips on how to help your loved ones, and provide you with the correct questions to ask communities when you are touring. They will recommend that you do your own research on communities, and they WILL NOT recommend any.  This way it is unbiased. When you are researching a facility, make sure you are going directly to their website.  Contact the community through their local number (NOT a toll free number)-or right through their own webpage. 

Finally, do the leg work.  It might be tiresome, but actually visiting facilities will give you the best feel for which place is right for your loved one and you.  If time allows, visit multiple facilities.  Seeing with your own eyes how the staff interacts with the residents, and making sure the community smells and looks nice will give you more sense of ease than just looking at pictures online. We recommend touring on your own, and then bringing your loved one in for an activity.  You and your loved one can get a first hand view of what goes on!

We understand that this is a stressful time-and you are in sensory overload! But by taking these steps, and using the available *creditable* resources that are out there-you CAN find the right community out there.  Here at Tennyson Court, we pride ourselves in being the best-we have over 15 years of experience! Do your research on us! We are confident you will like what you find!! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 716-632-9496. 

https://www.yelp.com/biz/tennyson-court-assisted-living-and-memory-care-williamsville