My Loved One Needs Nursing Home Care
When it becomes apparent that nursing care is something to consider for your loved one, many families become overwhelmed with the task of nursing home selection. Nursing home placement is often one of the most difficult decisions a family must make. Often, families become overwhelmed with the task of nursing home selection.
What can I do to now?
There are many factors to consider when choosing a long term care facility.
1. Sit down with the key people involved. The person who requires the placement, family members who regularly visit or provide care and others who are vital to the daily well-being of your loved one.
2. Ask each person to identify their priorities for selecting a nursing home.
For example:
- Distance — how far is it from home? Can friends easily visit?
- Quality of care — what is the Medicare rating?
- Private room versus having a roommate?
- Size of facility.
- Recreation opportunities — what type of programs are available and do they match the person’s interests?
- Cost — what type of financial commitment are you comfortable with? If finances are limited, a facility that accepts Medicare would be best.
- Transportation for visitors who don’t drive.
- Reputation of the facility in the community.
- Cleanliness of the facility.
- Staff/resident ratio.
- Consistent staff — how important is it that staff is consistent, that the same CNA or nurse will be providing care most days?
- Residents — ages, sex, diagnosis.
- Food — selection and variety of meal options.
