Factors to Consider
It’s always better when individuals and family members can discuss care options together before there is a need. Very often, however, families face the task of looking for nursing home care for their relative during a health crisis when the decision must be made in a short amount of time. When making nursing home placement decisions, family members should focus on finding a comfortable, clean, safe and home-like facility with caring staff that provide high quality care and services. Whenever possible, the individual needing care should be involved in the decision-making.
When looking for the right facility, it is important to visit several of them and shop around in order to find one that meets your (or the person receiving care) medical, financial, and comfort needs. It’s helpful if you and involved family members can determine what’s important to you in advance.
What’s important to you?
- Proximity of facility to family members and friends to allow for frequent visits.
- Available rehabilitative services like occupational, physical and speech therapies.
- Participation in activities and/or religious services.
- Private phone service.
- Flexible visiting hours.
- Use of personal furniture like a favorite chair.
- Retention of primary physician.
- Ability to address specific needs of resident such as dietary, medical, language, safety, social, etc.
- Safety precautions for confused residents who wander.
