Moving an aging parent into a Florida nursing home or assisted living facility is often difficult. However, the transition may prove easier for everyone involved if you all feel confident in the place where your parent is going to live. Not every nursing home in the state upholds the same standards when it comes to safety and care. So, it is important that you do your due diligence before placing your parent in a specific home.
Per U.S. News and World Report, you may want to ask the administrators of a prospective nursing home the following two questions before deciding to move a parent in.
1. What is the resident-to-staff ratio?
Chronic understaffing is a rampant problem in nursing homes across Florida and much of the United States. When nursing homes lack adequate staff, it has a direct and notable impact on the quality of care residents receive. Low staff-to-resident ratios raise the chances of your parent getting the care he or she needs in a timely manner. Low ratios also help reduce the likelihood of bedsores and resident falls.
2. How much turnover is there?
While the staff-to-resident ratio is important, so, too, is the degree of turnover among a nursing home’s workforce. When a home has low turnover, this means your loved one may be able to establish stronger relationships with caregivers. It also raises the chances of employees valuing their jobs and prioritizing resident needs.
When you move a parent into a residential home, you may do so because you know he or she needs more attention than you are able to provide. Asking these questions ahead of a move helps increase the chances of finding a good, safe place for your aging parent to live.
