Even though it can be one of the most difficult decisions you will ever make, if you cannot care for an elderly relative at home, then you will need to find a good place for them to live. To get the best care for a relative, you need to find a nursing home that is qualified to care for their particular issues. Here are five tips for finding the best care home for elderly relatives.
Consider Their Needs First
When you’re looking for a facility for your relative, you need to first consider what is important for you and them. If they have serious medical issues, then you may need a nursing home that is qualified to care for their condition. Other considerations may be its location so you can visit as often as possible, the ability for the client to socialise with others, and finding a facility that allows residents as much independence as possible.
Get Recommendations
Ask your relative’s doctor, their church, and local ageing organisations for recommendations to nursing homes. In many cases, anyone that provides services to or has frequent dealings with the elderly has visited nursing homes to see patients or parishioners. They can often tell you which nursing homes you should stay away from and which they feel do a good job for their residents. Trusted Care is the UK’s leading directory of residential care and nursing homes that can help you find facilities.
Visit Each Facility
When you generate a list of nursing homes for your consideration, make time to go visit each one. You can call ahead to consult with each facility’s director, but most facilities won’t mind if you drop in on them when considering them for a parent or an ill spouse. When you visit, carefully observe how the patients are treated and how many staff are on duty. Take note of how the facility smells, because that can give you a clue about how well it is maintained.
Ask Questions
When you visit each facility, do not be shy about asking the staff questions. If they seem reluctant to answer your questions or go into depth explaining the services of the facility, then they may be trying to hide something. Ask about staffing levels, if the nurses work overtime or double shifts, and how long the head of each department has been with the facility. Discuss the care the residents receive, such as how often they are bathed.
Read Documents Carefully
Any documents that you have to sign when admitting your relative should be read carefully before you sign them. Make sure that everything you’ve discussed with the nursing home is included in the contract, and ask for clarification about anything that you may not understand. If you feel it is necessary, have an attorney read the contract before signing it.
It is important that you look for a nursing home that’s qualified to provide the care that your elderly relative needs to thrive.
