Decision Process

When living at home is no longer an option for seniors

Senior women drinking tea together

we invite you to consider My Parents Paradise. We understand the uncertainties of making a decision to leave your home and move into an assisted living home is never an easy one; but moving to My Parents Paradise. Our goal is to provide a safe, warm home for our residents and a welcoming environment for families. We are committed to enhancing life through shared activities, good food, and celebrations of everyday life. My Parents Paradise provides a non-institutional environment.
We invite you to see the difference that My Parents Paradise Homes offers.

The following is a consumer checklist of important services, amenities and accommodations in a assisted living communities.  Every community/home is unique.  We recommend making several visits, at various times of day, to each residence you are considering.

Atmosphere:

  • As you arrive at the residence, do you like its location and outward appearance?
  • Did you receive a warm greeting from staff welcoming you to the residence?
  • Does the administrator/staff call residents by name and interact warmly with them as you tour the residence?
  • Do residents socialize with each other and appear happy and comfortable?
  • Are you able to talk with residents about how they like the residence and staff?
  • Do the residents seem to be appropriate housemates for you or your loved one?
  • Are staff appropriately dressed, personable and outgoing?
  • Do the staff members treat each other in a professional manner?
  • Are the staff members that you pass during your tour friendly to you?
  • Are visits with the resident welcome at any time?

Physical Features:

  • Is the facility well-designed for resident’s needs?
  • Is the floor plan easy to follow?
  • Are doorways, hallways and rooms accommodating to wheelchairs and walkers?
  • Are hand rails available to aid in walking?
  • Is the residence clean, free of odors and appropriately heated/cooled?
  • Does the residence meet local and/or state licensing requirements?
  • Does the residence have a means of security if a resident wanders?

Needs Assessments, Contracts, Costs & Finances:

  • Is a contractual agreement available that discloses healthcare and supportive services, all fees, as well as admission and discharge provisions?
  • Does this process include the resident, their family and facility staff along with the potential resident’s physician.
  • When may a contact be terminated and what are refund policies?
  • Are there any government, private or corporate programs available to help cover the cost of services to the resident?
  • Is a contractual agreement available to include accommodations, personal care, health care and supportive services?
  • Are additional services available if the resident’s needs change?
  • Is there a procedure to pay for additional services like nursing care when the services are needed on a temporary basis?
  • Are there different costs for various levels or categories of services?
  • Are residents required to purchase renters’ insurance for personal property in their units?
  • Is staff available to meet scheduled and unscheduled needs?
  • When may a contract be terminated?  What are the policies for refunds and transfers?
  • Is there an appeals process for dissatisfied residents?

Medications & Health Care:

  • Does the assisted living facility have specific policies regarding storage of medication, assistance with medications, training and supervision of staff and record keeping?
  • Is self-administration of medication allowed?
  • Are staff available to assist residents who experience memory, orientation, of judgment losses?
  • To what extent are medical services available, and how are these services provided?

Services:

  •  Can the residence provide a list of services available?
  • Does the residence provide housekeeping services in residents’ units?
  • Does the assisted living facility provide transportation to doctors’ offices, the hairdresser, shopping and other activities desired by residents?
  • Can residents arrange for transportation of fairly short notice?

Individual Unit Features:

  • Do dinning room menus vary from day to day and meal to meal?
  • Are different sized and types of units available?
  • Are units for single and double occupancy available?
  • Do all units have a telephone and cable TV and how is billing handled?

Social & Recreational Activities:

  • Is there evidence of an organized activities program, such as a posted daily schedule, events in progress, reading materials, visitors, etc.?
  • Are residents’ pets allowed in the assisted living facility?  Who is responsible for their care?
  • Does the residence have its own pets?

Food Service:

  • Does the residence provide three nutritionally balanced meals a day, seven days a week?
  • Are snacks available?
  • May a resident request special foods?
  • Are common dining areas available?
  • May residents eat meals in their units?
  • May meals be provided at a time a resident would like or are there set times for meals?