Using the LRE Principle to Choose Senior Housing or a Care Facility

Senior Housing is a growing concern in these days. Children are being called upon now more than ever to help make decisions regarding partial or complete care of parents. Of course you want the most pleasant environment for loved one. Here are some basic considerations for choosing or helping to choose a place for your senior relatives to live.

1) LRE---Least Restrictive Environment: I borrow this term form my career in special education. The goal for seniors is similar to the goal for a special needs student. We want to give them the most mobility, freedom and autonomy while still ensuring that they have the safety and assistance they require. This includes

--Transportation: I suggest that you persuade your loved one to sell her car in favor of a bus or public transportation. She won't like this, but try to show her that it will be in her best interest in terms of safety. It's partly that older adults do tend to have slower reflexes and poor night vision. But more important is the high accident rate in general. She is much safer and still enjoy mobility using a good bus system. Look for housing that is on a bus route or better yet, a facility that runs it's own bus or shuttle.

--Neighborhood: Look for a facility that is near some nice local shopping centers, churches, hospital, physician and pharmacy services, library and dining/ entertainment venues that your loved one would enjoy. Having these within walking or scooter distance would be ideal.

Consider carefully the safety and quality of the surroundings. The old realtor's adage about the three most important features of a house hold true here as well, 'location, location, location'. Check out public services and safety and their response time for fire, police and ambulance calls. Are they in a 911 area? I would even consider things that may not affect her directly, like school district or how many bars and nightclubs are nearby; these factors have an impact on quality of life.

2) Overall facilities: When I checked out websites of potential housing with my mother-in-law, we made a +/- inventory of each choice. Basically, this is a pros and cons list. We looked at

--price and did the facility pro-rate their fees based upon income? (If not, they should; there's usually federal and state grant money involved. Ask them; bargain.) What is included in rent? Utilities? Laundry? Cable? Air conditioning?

--structural safety: Are the alarm, sprinkler, and any other disaster procedures up to code? How is the wiring, plumbing,heating, cooling?

--maintenance: Does the facility appear to be well-cared for? Trash removed? Snow and ice cleaned up? Walks and entryways salted? Everything in good working order? Landscape kept up? Do they have a maintenance staff on duty and when?

--security: How do people access the building? Is this monitored and safe? No solicitation allowed?

--laundry: Where are the laundry facilities? What are they like? How many people use them? How much do they cost?

--car ports: For drivers and car owners, are the vehicles safe and secure?

3)Meals: If this is an option, what is served? How is it cooked? Are meals planned with dietary needs in mind? Are the foods things that seniors like and can eat? My grandfather's care facility served nachos and cheese for lunch one day; It doesn't take a scholar to realize that even if seniors can eat those hard chips with dentures, what senior citizen even likes them?

4)Activities: Are there worship services available? Games? Day trips? Discussions? Clubs? Classes? Will there be things he'll enjoy?

These are some things to consider when helping a senior family member or friend choose an appropriate housing situation.