Visiting an assisted living home before you think about joining the community is an effective way to evaluate whether it might be the right fit for you. During these visits, there are a number of different things for you to assess, including the size and features of the building, the activities calendar, and even the food. You should also pay some attention to the staff — and, in particular, don't be afraid to ask your tour guide for some data about staff turnover. Ideally, you'll hear that staff turnover at the assisted living home is low. This can benefit the residents, including you if you move in, in a number of ways. Here are some examples.

Better Relationships

It's a simple fact that the longer you know someone, the more potential there is for building a strong relationship. When you move into assisted living and the majority of the staff will remain there during your entire tenure — which could be a decade or more — you'll be able to build strong bonds with the staff. This, of course, isn't true if many of the staff will be leaving in the months and years ahead. In such a scenario, it can be difficult emotionally to make a good friend with a staff member, only for him or her to leave soon afterward.

Better Care

While it's true that new assisted living home staff members can provide exemplary care right off the bat, you should also consider that those who have been around for a long time really know the ins and outs of the facility. Whereas a new staff member may be unsure of how to proceed when a resident has fallen, simply because of inexperience, those who have worked at the facility for a long time will know exactly what to do — and have almost certainly been through such scenarios in the past. This can make you feel more confident about your care and safety.

A Sign Of A Good Employer

When you're paying for accommodation at an assisted living center, you want to feel confident that your money is going toward an honest and conscientious employer. A high turnover rate can often suggest that staff members are unhappy with their employer. However, when you hear stories about staff members being at the assisted living home for 10, 15, and perhaps even 20+ years, it's often a strong indicator that the employer is treating them fairly. This is the type of assisted living home that you want to move into.

Contact a home, like Haven Homes, for more help.

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