When you’re choosing a nursing home for your aging loved one, you should remember that quality is not merely about meeting a set standard. It also involves your health, social interaction, as well as overall wellbeing.
Determining a realistic standard of quality also involves knowing when you are not receiving the desired standard as well as knowing what to do whenever you have any concerns.
Nursing home abuse, improper medication delivery, poor training, and understaffing are all serious problems in nursing homes today. That is why it is imperative that you do your research before you put your loved one in a home.
To learn more about problems nursing homes face, visit website for more information. Keep reading to learn more about why finding quality care is important.
Quality of Senior Care Facilities
The core aim of long-term care facilities is to offer top-notch services and to improve the quality of life of the people who are receiving the services.
How to Check the Online
In the past, it was quite challenging to determine the quality of care of a health provider. However, thanks to the internet, this is not the case anymore. Today, there are tools you can use to check the quality of government-funded aged care providers.
These tools enable you to find and compare the quality of care between different caregivers. You can also use these tools to find different consumer experience and accreditation reports for various aged care providers.
Assessment of the Quality of Nursing Homes
According to the American Association of Retired Persons guide to finding a nursing home, you can assess the quality of a care facility by answering the following questions:
- Is the facility close to your home?
- Are the residents well groomed?
- Does the staff interact with the residents?
- Do the staff members know the residents’ names
The dietary options that are offered to the residents is also a good sign that a facility cares about its residents’ needs. You’ll want to look for a facility that is willing to give you their menu or meal plan so you can go over it with your elderly loved one. You’ll also want to avoid nursing homes that do not offer the residents meal choices at all.
Last but not least, when it comes to care facilities, remember that you do not always get what you pay for. No matter how costly or expensively decorated a care home is, you still may get substandard care. That’s why it’s so important to do your homework.
How to Make a Smooth Transition
If your loved one is on the fence about going into a home or they are dead-set against it but have to go anyway, there are steps you can take to make the transition go smoothly;
Get Your Elderly Family Member’s Input
Actively involving your loved one in the decision-making process can help them let their guard down rather than making them feel like they’re being forced.
Explain the Benefits of Nursing Homes
Companionship, better health, and activities are some of the benefits of being in a long-term care facility. The sooner your loved one understands the benefits, the more receptive they may be to the idea.
Involve Your Family
If you have siblings or other family members, don’t take this burden on alone. Actively involve other family members in the decision-making process to get their input.
Go on Tours of Facilities
Go on tours of any nursing homes that have made your “maybe” list. It’s best to take a guided tour and then to ask to be allowed to speak to the residents to find out what they have to say about the home.
Remember, the best nursing homes may have a waiting list. You’ll want to begin shopping around for a facility early just in case you need to place your loved one on the list.
By Phyllis Harris