Choosing the best long term care facility for you or your loved one may seem like an overwhelming task but following a few simple tips can give you greater clarity in your decision.
Stop by the facility unannounced and ask around for referrals to find the best match. If you’ve identified your loved ones needs and have crunched numbers you can cross more facilities off of your watch list.
Pop in Unannounced
One of the best ways to see day to day life in a living facility is by paying a surprise visit to the home. Visit a long term care facility without notifying staff to get a true glimpse into day to day life at the home. Observe if the facility is open and inviting to folks who make unannounced visits. If you meet resistance or find workers hurrying around to clean or order rooms cross this home off of your watch list.
Genuine facilities do their best all of the time to create a pleasant experience for residents. Kind, smiling workers will greet you whether you announce your visit or show up out of the blue. Simply watch how staff responds or reacts when you pop in and check out the conditions within the home to make your decision.
Pay strict attention to any weird odors or smells in the home as well as the cleanliness of linens. If you notice a pervasive foul odor in the facility it’s likely indicative of neglect.
Know Your Needs
Whether you’re looking into a facility for yourself or for your parents know your needs before building a list of potential homes. Get clear on what you require for yourself or your parents. Being clear helps you remove any non match from your watch list of homes.
If your parent is suffering through memory loss select only homes that have respected programs and units related to memory loss.
Social butterflies should consider facilities with programs like activities and other social outings which will benefit their gregarious nature.
Think about the health issues, personalities and preferences of your loved ones to find the best match for their needs. If you’re researching homes for yourself does the home vibe with your preferences? What would draw you toward the facility? Answer these questions to your liking to find the proper match.
Speak to Your Network
Talking to your friends and other members of your community can give you a good idea of the best long term facilities in your area. Speak to workers at home care agencies, staff at hospitals and workers at your parent’s doctor’s office for suggestions. These individuals are accustomed to recommending homes for people who require long term care. Listen to their professional opinion to make a more confident choice.
Inquiring for referrals simply helps you to leverage knowledge. Checking in with co-workers or fellow church members gives you greater options. Use the power of community to find a caring home which fits your loved one’s needs.
Do the Financials
Ask about costs. Do the figures fit into your budget? Determine all services which are included in the monthly fee. The basic fee should include necessities like 3 meals served daily.
If the costs match your budget you can shop around to find out if facilities with similar benefits may cost less.