Tips for Choosing the Right Skilled Nursing Facility

Aging affects everyone differently. While some will be healthy until the very end, others may be plagued with various illnesses that hinder both physical and motor skills. As a child, it can be difficult to watch your parents suffer in this way. Furthermore, many adult children aren’t skilled enough to care for their parents as often as needed. In these circumstances, it’s best to consider a nursing home. A skilled nursing facility can help your parents after an accident or health event that has changed the way they live, while providing a home to protect them. It’s not an easy decision to make and all facilities shouldn’t be thought of as equal. There are features in each facility that may be similar to others, but there are aspects that truly put some skilled nursing facilities above all others. It’s in knowing what to look for when searching for the right match that will allow you to look past their marketing materials to properly assess each facility. Choosing to move your elderly parents into a nursing home is a difficult and life-changing choice; the right facility will ease the stress from this time.

Location

One of the most important aspects to consider is the location of the facility. You’ll need a place you can visit on a regular basis to make sure your loved one feels connected to family. Make sure there is ample parking, as well as easy access to the main road. Additionally, the location should be close to their friends and other family members, if possible.

Recreational Activities

The hardest adjustment for the elderly to make when transitioning into a nursing home is the feeling they are no longer home. Depression is a real thing for many seniors, which is why it’s so important for them to remain active. Dark facilities with a lack of socialization can truly inhibit your loved one from remaining upbeat, not to mention it can be difficult for them to rehabilitate. Take the time to learn about the activities offered at each facility, and take part in them to get a sense for what your loved one can expect. Consider the desires of your loved one and choose a facility that offers activities that they would find to be interesting. There needn’t be a long list of social activities, rather, enough activities that spark their interest. Therapy pools, card games or club activities will make your loved one feel at home. In doing so, the transition will become easier.

Residents

The biggest sign of a well-run facility is the state of the residents. Watch the patients as they interact with staff to get a sense of their happiness. Staff should speak to residents by name, while maintaining a friendly-demeanor. Residents should appear hopeful and socialize together. Sit in on one of the meals to determine if staff remains a part of the gathering, and whether the residents are pleased with the quality. Your loved one will spend the rest of their life at this facility; you’ll need to be certain that everything is up to your standard.

Reputation

Reputations are garnered from years of experience. Your chosen facility should have a license prominently displayed in their office, with posters about patients’ rights where residents can easily read. Each state keeps records of reports from long-term care facilities. By simply calling with an inquiry, you’ll be able to determine if your chosen facility is up to par. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also has an online checklist that provides families with additional information about how to choose the right facility for your loved one. You can also perform an online search to read reviews and check for any newspaper articles. The combined information should provide you with an overall picture of what you and your loved one can expect while undergoing care.

Process

It’s important that your loved one have a say during the process. Although, it’s likely you’ll need to make the final arrangements, your loved one should feel included in the decision. It’s their life and happiness that will be determined by the facility. You need to make sure they feel comfortable where you choose. By involving them in the discussion and verifying their desires, you can make them feel more comfortable with the idea of moving into the facility. Some of the biggest issues with choosing a nursing home are that many seniors are resistant to the idea of leaving their home. By helping them to choose the location, they’ll feel as if they’re merely moving into their next home.

About the Author: Beth A. Stevens is a contributing author. A former nurse in the geriatrics field, she spent the majority of her career helping patients in nursing homes. When it was time for her mother to receive round-the-clock care, she found http://www.agrhodes.org/ had the most skilled and caring staff.

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