None of us wish to see our senior
citizen loved one separated from us, but there will come a time when our energy
and even skills can no longer be enough to handle the care these kinds of patients
need and deserve.
Being apart can already be unbearable
enough for both parties. That is why choosing the right nursing home for them
should be planned and researched ahead of time, as well as performed with
utmost scrutiny. So use your senses wisely and start your investigation with
the following tips in mind:
Cleanliness
It should be a basic criterion for
scouters such as you to assess for the neatness of your loved ones’ home-to-be.
Checking if the nursing home is generally clean, is also gauging the staffs’ attention
to residents’ daily spills, dirt, and clutter - simply with your first sight.
Aside from using your eyes in
determining cleanliness, don’t fret to use your nose and hands as well. Check for
unusual odors. Whether these could be scary spoiled food or human waste and
vomitus, odor can indicate how much time and seriousness is spent by the staff to
eliminate these discomforts.
For dust and grime, don’t be afraid to
touch-check countertops, desks, and other furniture.
Cleanliness though is not merely the
absence of dirt nor the presence of spotlessness. What we tend to forget is
that organization also contributes to making an area look clean. So aside from magnifying corners and surfaces,
look at the residence in general. Are the furniture situated in proper place
and order?
Safety
Dealing with geriatric patients should
always involve the analysis of safety. Since aging can affect memory, judgment,
and balance to name a few, nursing homes should have these elderly-safety
measures.
One simple requirement is proper lighting all throughout the house. If there are rugs and carpets, they should be fastened and slip-free. Hallways should be wheelchair accessible with easy handrails on the walls. Facilities should not be faulty but functional, which can include faucets, door knobs, heating and cooling systems, and basic appliances. Their alarm systems should also be present and working. These can be call bells/buttons, smoke detectors, and sprinklers.
One simple requirement is proper lighting all throughout the house. If there are rugs and carpets, they should be fastened and slip-free. Hallways should be wheelchair accessible with easy handrails on the walls. Facilities should not be faulty but functional, which can include faucets, door knobs, heating and cooling systems, and basic appliances. Their alarm systems should also be present and working. These can be call bells/buttons, smoke detectors, and sprinklers.
It is also essential to know the nursing
homes’ protocols in case of emergencies. Let them show you their first aid
kits, fire exits, extinguishers, list of telephone numbers to call, and if possible,
the nearest route to the nearby hospital. Are they knowledgeable enough of the
guidelines to follow in case accidents happen?
Food
Another aspect that you should take into
account is the food the residents are sufficed with. They should be able to eat
varied, clean, nutritious, and appealing meals served in the right temperature
at the right time. Snacks should also be available at some hours and special
diets should also be considered. Furthermore, eating time must not be
pressured. This should serve as a comfortable session for socializing. How about
asking one of the residents about their view of the food?
Activities
Be informed as well of the nursing home’s
activities. Know more about their choices for the resident’s leisure time,
social situations, and religious participation. Inquire if residents can choose
their daily routine too, such as bed time, bath time, and entertainment. Take a
peek at their outdoor area if such is safe for your loved ones. Are the
activities and areas appropriate and stimulating?
Personnel and Nursing Care
Now that you’ve probably taken the tour,
assess the staff available. It would be best if you know
someone from the facility whom you can refer to right away for updates and
someone you can trust for the truths of the nursing home. But if there is none,
perform a quick holistic investigation of the employees. Ask if their staff
underwent a background check before being hired. Know about trainings and
seminars they have attended with regards to geriatric care, or if the staff
have previous reliable experience with such patients. Make a mental calculation
or confirm the nurse-patient ratio data.
Get to know about their care plan, as this is their guide for nursing care. Consider a kind of care plan where both you and your patient can decide together with the health workers the management your loved one receives. You may also inquire if there are residents similar to the case of your patient. So you would know if they have experience in that specific management, and to what state they have maintained if not improved optimum wellbeing. Ask about medications as well; how these are stored, given, and recorded.
Get to know about their care plan, as this is their guide for nursing care. Consider a kind of care plan where both you and your patient can decide together with the health workers the management your loved one receives. You may also inquire if there are residents similar to the case of your patient. So you would know if they have experience in that specific management, and to what state they have maintained if not improved optimum wellbeing. Ask about medications as well; how these are stored, given, and recorded.
Now by the time you’ve spent enough
dialogue with your key person, evaluate to which depth she has answered your
queries and whether these are clear, precise, and unassuming. Also get to check
other staff if they appeared to be interested and accommodating with guests
such as your arrival. Notice the expressions and appearance of the residents
they handle if they are clean-looking, well-dressed, and comfortable.
Special Services
Some more things to consider are the
overall and special services the nursing home offers. These therapeutic
services can include, physical, occupational, speech, dietary, Alzheimer’s,
etc. and may sum up to additional fees, so make sure you are informed of such,
if ever you wish to avail. Speaking of fees, ask to be oriented about their
billing process.
Another info you should be aware of is
physician access. Know the flow on medical assistance and if the patient can
have an easy communication with his or her personal doctor.
Most nursing homes have affiliated
community organizations which are usually composed of volunteers; check this
aspect as well.
Then move on to the allowable visiting
hours and means of checking your loved one’s condition in the nursing home.
Legal Matters
Lastly, and most importantly, you must
be aware that nursing homes are surveyed each year and must comply with State
standards. Let them show you their certificate and business permit. A nursing
home can have it all, but if they aren’t allowed to engage in business legally,
then your visit can be rather a waste of time. Ask about Medicare and Medicaid
too.
So when you’ve found the appropriate
nursing home for your loved one, get into even more minute details and go for a
comprehensive checklist. Visit the links below for printable materials.
Then let me know how it goes. Happy scouting!
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