If someone you love is in need of a nursing home, you may have several concerns. Selecting the right facility to place your loved one into can be a stressful process. You want to make sure that the facility you choose has a high standard of care and comfort.
Unfortunately, abuse and neglect are problems in some nursing homes. so you need to be careful. Here are a few strategies to help you find a good nursing home:
1. Analyze the staff
When you visit an elderly care facility, pay close attention to the staff members. See how they communicate with one another and their patients. If the staff members and nursing assistants are rude, chances are you do not want to put your mother or father there. Ask the employees if they frequently work double shifts or overtime. Short-staffing can have a significant impact on resident care.
2. See how the residents spend their time
The afternoon is a good time to visit a nursing home because this is when most of the activity will be happening. If all the residents are in their rooms, this may be a red flag. A good care facility will have daily activities, such as crafts, puzzles, games and physical exercises.
3. Look for bedsores and bruising
Bedsores are common among bed-bound patients, but the nursing home staff should do everything possible to prevent them, including consistent rotation of patients. Residents who can walk but have trouble getting out of bed should get assistance from staff members so they can move around. Keep an eye out for any bruises, especially ones that can not be easily explained by a fall. Bruising on the back or stomach may raise suspicions.
You must be diligent and rigorous and ask hard questions before moving a loved one into a nursing home. If you decide on a quality facility, your loved one is sure to be happy for the rest of his or her life.
