Questions to Ask a Potential Senior Residence in Niagara Falls

When you are looking to tour a retirement home in Niagara Falls, it’s necessary to prepare yourself to ensure you make the right choice. And while staff will be able to show you around the community, they may not address all of your concerns unless you bring them up. That’s why it’s important to prepare questions that have been on your mind before choosing a senior residence in Niagara Falls.

In this blog, we have put together a list of questions you might find helpful in choosing the right residence. It will hopefully make you feel confident in your final decision.

Let’s get started.

Questions to Ask During a Tour of a Senior Residence in Niagara Falls 

By taking a proactive approach and asking the following questions, you increase the likelihood of finding the perfect retirement home in Niagara Falls.

1.  What senior living lifestyle options do you offer?

It’s important that the senior living community you choose offers the types of assistance you or your loved one require now and in the future. Keep in mind that not all retirement homes serve seniors in the same way. Senior living communities typically offer either all or some of the following care solutions.

• Assisted Living – This type offers well maintained amenities and a wide range of services, with added assistance for seniors who might not be able to look after themselves. Communities with assisted living facilities have around-the-clock caregivers to help with daily activities such as cleaning, showering, dressing, and eating. This enables residents to thrive in their environment.
• Independent Living – Retirement residences offering independent living tailor their services to the requirements of active seniors. So, aging adults who want to pursue their hobbies and passions can select this option. Such communities offer around-the-clock security and can tackle emergency situations. However, they may not have on-site caregivers offering daily assistance.
• Short-Stay Programs – Many retirement communities offer short-term respite care services where seniors can stay for a few weeks. This option can be useful for those who may need assistance and extra care before returning home from hospital. It’s also suitable for those requiring continuous short-term rehabilitation after a surgery.

For additional information, speak to the staff of the senior living home in Niagara Falls that you are visiting.

2. How do you keep your residents safe?

For aging adults considering life at a senior residence in Niagara Falls (and their caregivers), safety is a primary concern. So, it’s important to ask the following questions:

• What measures are in place to ensure bathing safety? Are non-slip surfaces and/or grab bars installed? Do bathtubs have easy entry or rails for support?
• Does your community have an emergency response plan? Do you ask your staff and residents to perform safety and fire drills?
• How do you handle medical emergencies? Is staff available 24/7?
• What type of background checks do you perform on staff?

Safety is a number one priority, so make sure this is one of the first things to ask about before making a decision.

3. What kind of meal services do you have in place for residents? 

Seniors have varying nutritional needs that address various health concerns. Moreover, some may have food allergies and others issues with particular foods, so ask if they will consider these factors. Ask if you can try one of their meals to get an idea of their quality. Make sure you ask about their ongoing meal plans.

4. What amenities does your community offer? 

The amenities offered by a senior residence in Niagara Falls can make or break your decision. This is because sometimes there aren’t enough, and other times there may be more than you could have imagined. Amenities, after all, are what make a resident’s stay easier and more comfortable.

Additionally, make sure to ask about guest accommodations along with what activities and events are hosted by the community.

5. What are the monthly fees and additional costs? 

One common issue many families find challenging is not finding a standard pricing structure across senior residences in Niagara Falls. Every retirement community follows its own unique structure, depending on their services and amenities. That makes it difficult to compare prices.

This is why you should ask each residence about their monthly fees and whether there are additional ones. Ask how often they raise their fees and how long before each pricing increase they notify residents.

Visiting different senior living communities and choosing one for yourself or a loved one can be stressful. But by asking the right questions, you can narrow your options and ensure you’re selecting the right one. It will also help make the transition from living at home to living in a community relatively stress-free. You can also rest assured that you are making the right choice.