For the majority of people, independence is something they fall in love with the first time they experience it. Whether it’s a child who’s just learned to walk or a teenager leaving home for the first time to experience college, that first taste of independence can be a wonderful thing; something most people want to maintain for the rest of their life. The harsh reality is that as people grow older, independence can often be a detriment to their well being, leaving their loved ones in a difficult position with respect to their care.
Making the decision to put a parent or elderly relative in a care facility is never an easy one; chances are that individual wants to remain as independent as possible, as long as possible. You may find yourself feeling guilty about the decision – wondering if the facility can provide the best care for your loved one. To help you make the best decision, here are some things to consider:
- Physical well-being. This is generally one of the main factors in deciding whether or not a nursing home is the right move for your loved one. Chronic diseases, such as diabetes or arthritis, can greatly limit an elderly person’s independence, sometimes making it impossible for them to live on their own. If you cannot provide adequate care for your loved one, a nursing home or another facility might be your only option. Also, heart disease, stroke, or cancer can also rob loved ones of their independence; meaning a nursing home might be the best option for sufferers of these diseases as well.
- Mental well-being. Typically, Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease can become a concern for relatives of the elderly. If your loved one appears disoriented most of the time or has regular feelings of confusion, professional help might be the best decision. Feelings of depression or anxiety must also be monitored closely and if you’re not trained to do so, a nursing home may be your best option. Nursing home staff are trained to monitor these signs and symptoms closely, to provide the most adequate care for your loved one.
- Medication use or misuse. It is important to pay close attention to your loved one’s medication routine. If he is forgetting to take his medication or taking too much, or even failing to remember if he took it or not, independence is no longer a legitimate option. Taking too little or too much medication can be fatal and this is something that needs to be monitored properly to ensure your loved one’s safety.
- Daily activities of living. As part of the aging process, individuals may not be able to get up and go like they used to; however, when your loved one begins to exhibit difficulty with some of the more routine tasks in a day, this could be a sign that help is necessary. When bathing, dressing, and even using the toilet become a struggle, this can be a indicator that living independently may not longer be an option.
When the time has come to make a decision on selecting an assisted living, skilled nursing facility, rehabilitative services, memory loss care, or any other older adult services, the best decisions are made when consumers have properly evaluated all of their options.
The following is a list of items to look for and review when choosing the appropriate care facility for your loved one:
Staff and Care
- Do the nursing staff possess caring and friendly attitudes?
- Do staff appear to care about and respect the residents?
- Are the residents treated as individuals?
- Are residents clean and adequately dressed?
- Are there individual and group activities listed on a monthly activity calendar?
- Are the residents offered opportunities to attend special outings?
- Are religious services offered?
- Does a registered dietician plan the residents’ meals?
- Are the meals nutritious and appealing?
- Are special diets available? What kinds?
- Does the facility provide in-house therapy services (physical, speech, occupational)?
The Facility
- Is the facility well maintained on the inside and the outside?
- Is the décor warm and welcoming?
- Is the facility free of unpleasant odors? If odors are present, are they handled quickly?
- Is the floor kept dry and free of litter?
- Do the faucets, call buttons, telephones, and televisions work?
- Are heating and cooling adequate?
- Are different sizes and types of units available?
- Are units for single and double occupancy available?
- Are residents able to bring their own furnishings for their unit and what may they bring?
Administration
- Is the facility in good standing with State inspectors?
- Are the rates competitive?
- What is the procedure for assessing a potential resident’s needs and when are those needs being reassessed?
- Are additional services available if the resident’s needs change?
- Is Medicaid and Medicare accepted?
- Is resident transportation provided?
- What are the billing, payment, and credit policies?
The Ambassador has been the recognized leader in post acute and long-term care for more than two decades. Our primary commitment is to providing quality care, and it has been since our founding in 1981. For everything from short-term rehabilitation to long-term nursing care, our continuing mission is to provide personal, cost-effective services to all who walk through our doors.
