The baby boomer population is heading into retirement and beyond, leading to an increased need in elder care services Westchester County. Putting a loved one or a family member into a care facility is a difficult decision. It is important that your aging loved one feel secure, independent, and respected in spite of whatever health concerns or mental decline they may be experiencing. Long-term care shouldn’t be negative, begrudged assistance to someone you care about. It also doesn’t define the overall health of an individual. In order to receive the best care and encourage the best health for your loved one, look for a facility that has the following characteristics.

Experience

The individuals employed at a facility should have plenty of experience in their chosen field. You don’t want a facility that has a lot of turnover or that pays minimum wage as they simply staff the halls. There may be some skills that aren’t as critical for your loved one, but that doesn’t matter. Each person should be adequately trained and familiar with the potential health or assistance needs each individual in the center may have.

Empathy

There are a lot of people needing long-term care, and there have been many complaints throughout the system that there is a lack of empathy and care towards residents. Facilities that take care of their employees often generate a culture of passion and care for the work that needs to be done. Look for this culture when you take a tour. Watch the employees carefully, looking for the way they treat the residents and listening to their tone of voice. Make sure you select a location where the employees demonstrate genuine empathy and concern for the people they serve.

If you can find a facility that has a pervasive culture of these two qualities, you can usually be more confident in the quality of care your loved one will receive. You won’t find a perfect facility, but you should be comfortable with the level of professionalism and concern that the facility displays.