How To Choose The Right Facility
Long-Term Care Facility is the term given to places where elderly persons live and are given care, outside the family home. Remember that when you are seeking a Long-Term Care Facility for a relative or friend you are, in fact, selecting a home and that residence should look, feel and smell like a home.The search for a healthy, clean, and safe residence for a loved one can be a daunting task. Are there any shortcuts to finding a suitable place? In a word, "No", but we'd like to offer some tips:
Finding possible residences - Do your homework!
Review public records - Health Department citations, "posted infractions" at the facilities you are considering.Word of mouth - Referrals from satisfied patients and family members are worth their weight in gold; ask around and don’t be bashful.
Call agencies and organizations that work with seniors.
Criteria for Choosing - Do Inspections!
Conduct your own physical inspection of the residences or facility you are considering. Make sure you visit a number of facilities in your area for comparison and visit each facility at various times of the day. Drop by the facility when you are not expected and pay attention to what you see, hear and smell. Observe meals being served, the times and procedures for residents getting up and the types and frequency of activities provided. A few ideas about what to take note of:-Physical Surroundings
Security – Review and ask questions about the security of the facility and the safety of residents.
Visually clean – Is the facility pleasant to look at and be within? Does the facility look dirty or is it well kept?
Smell - How does the place smell both when you first enter and walk around? Is it clean or do you smell a prevalence of urine and feces?
Care of Residents
Does the physical condition of the residents reflect good hygiene and adequate basic care?
Are the residents spoken to with respect by the aides and nurses?
Are the residents treated with dignity and not like children?
Have staff worked at the facility for many years?
Are the residents in wheelchairs made comfortable?
Are call bells placed within patients‘ reach?
Are patient room bells speedily and consistently acknowledged and responded to promptly?
Do the residents have the opportunity for daily exercise and for walking with assistance if needed?
Are the meals tasty enough and large enough?
Are they served at appropriate times and regularly?
Are the meals appetizing and served at a suitable temperature? Are familiar foods served from your culture? Are the patients brought together to dine (as opposed to eating alone in rooms or in halls)?
Activities and Social interaction - Are residents active, social, and happy?
Does the facility conduct lots of activities for residents or do the residents look abandoned and forgotten?
Is there an effort to include as many patients as possible in activities, which are meaningful to them?
Are there a variety of activities of different cultures that meet patients’ needs?
Personal Space - Can you bring pictures of your family? Can you decorate the walls?
Do you have enough space to keep your personal items?
Do residents have privacy when receiving care?
Special Requests - Does the facility provide special services such as help with specific physical or mental challenges, physical therapy, special diets and anything else your family member might need or want?
Finances
What types of payments does the facility accept? (private insurance, Medicare, Medical)
In concluding, be proactive, assertive and alert, explain to facilities your elder’s physical and mental condition and any special needs. Ask lots of questions about how your elder will be cared for. Do your homework before making your final decision and participate with the facility once your elder is placed.
