Assisted living facilities and nursing homes have a special place in American society. They’re facilities that help take care of the aging population. The staff members are trained to care for the elderly and aging so that they can live with the highest quality of life possible, even if their health is starting to deteriorate.
It is a hard decision to put your loved one into a nursing home, but it might be essential. If you decide to do so, you deserve the opportunity to choose a facility that is respectful, safe and that can appropriately care for your loved one’s needs. Here are a few things you should do before you choose a facility for your loved one.
1. Talk to the staff
While lots of people speak with the directors of nursing homes or assisted-living facilities, not everyone takes the time to get to know the staff. It’s a good idea to talk to the staff to hear about how they’re treated, to gauge their stress levels and to see if they’re too busy to handle communication with family members.
2. Note sights and smells
Another thing to do is to remember the things you see and smell in the nursing home or assisted-living facility. Heavy urine scents, the smell of vomit or other unclean scents could be a sign of poor sanitary conditions. Additionally, you should note if there are any hazards or messes that are not resolved quickly.
These are two things to do to choose a better assisted living or nursing home for your loved one. Choose carefully, so you know they’re in good hands.
