We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you ... you're just helping re-supply our family's travel fund.
Choosing a nursing home for your senior parents isn’t always an easy decision. The relocation and the new way of life for you and your parents or even grandparents can be a massive adjustment. But typically, these decisions are made for the right reasons, and determining that your parents need more help, care, and support than you can offer or they can get living independently isn’t one to be made lightly.
Visiting the nursing home in person is crucial. It allows you to assess the environment, interact with staff, and get a feel for the residents’ daily lives. This firsthand experience can provide valuable insights that reviews and promotional materials might not capture.
Reviews
Take your time to read reviews from other residents or families of residents, as well as any reviews from professional bodies or your local state. These reviews provide realistic views and opinions beyond the promotional material that can help you make a well-rounded assessment. This information is instrumental in helping you avoid nursing home neglect scenarios that can harm your parents when in a facility’s care.
Location
Choosing an easily accessible location is crucial. This ensures that you and your family can make frequent visits, providing the comfort and reassurance your parents need.
The last thing you want is to face hours-long drives each way that might hinder your ability to visit as often as you would like, and your parents would need you too.
Amenities
When considering a nursing home, it’s important to look at the on-site amenities and extras. These amenities can help accommodate your parents’ hobbies and activities, boosting their morale, socialization, and overall quality of life. Paying attention to what is offered on-site can give you a better idea of what to expect and can be a source of optimism for your parents’ well-being.
Living Arrangements
You need to get an idea of the type of living arrangements at the nursing home so you can see what will be expected of your parents and what they will experience. Will they only have access to their own room, or are there communal areas? Will your parents have complete privacy in their own rooms with a kitchen set up, for example, so they can cook, or is it a space to sleep only?
Caregiver Support
Open communication with the nursing home staff is key. It’s important to know what level of support and communication they offer to families handing over caregiver duties. Do they discuss concerns or changes in health and behavior? Do they encourage visitation and have family sessions that you can join in with? Make sure you know what to expect from the nursing homes you’re considering to help you make the right decision.
Cost
Lastly, you need to be confident that you can afford the cost of the services provided by the nursing home. You need to understand what you’re paying for. There might be scenarios where extras come at a supplementary cost, you don’t get everything you think you should, or others offer as standard. So, assess the value and price to ensure you understand how much you are paying personally. If you need to check if you’re Medicaid eligible for nursing care or if you get help with costs,
Leave a Reply