The number of North Americans in long-term care facilities
has increased greatly in recent years, and is expected to keep growing.
There are many factors contributing to this, including longer life
spans and a nationwide trend to have children later in life. Due to
this trend, more and more adults are finding themselves caring for
aging parents and young children at the same time - a difficult
situation that often necessitates professional assistance.
The
decision to place a loved one into residential care is never an easy
one - and of course, never one that should be taken lightly. A careful
search of multiple facilities can help you select the best one for your
family member's needs. It can also reduce the anxiety and stress common
among people in this complicated situation, by helping you rest assured
that your loved one is truly being cared for.
Tips that May Help
Selecting
a facility is a complicated and sometimes frustrating process. However,
it is not a reason to panic or lose hope. There are many resources
available for elderly people and their loved ones. In addition, you may
find some of the tips helpful in making your selection:
Begin
early. Many people find themselves looking for a nursing home after a
loved one has been hospitalized. This may mean you will have only 24
hours to find one and move in. If you find yourself in this situation,
remember that an appeals process can extend your deadline by at least
two days. The ideal, however, is to begin researching your options for
loved ones with medical problems before you are suddenly thrown into
this situation.
Draw on all available resources. Your doctor or
local hospital should be able to refer you to social workers and
community programs that can help. In addition, there are many
organizations - such as Medicare, Consumer Reports, and the Eldercare
Locator that can provide reviews and facts about homes in your area.
Make
multiple visits to a potential home, if possible. There are many
factors you will want to examine and consider. You will want to
observe: the treatment that employees offer the patients; the general
cleanliness of the building; the kitchen where patients' food is
prepared; the quality of activities and entertainment provided to
patients, and more. Do not be afraid to ask plenty of questions,
including permission to see the kitchen, bathrooms, etc.
Remember
that you have rights as a healthcare consumer. If any facility is
reluctant to answer your questions or allow a full inspection, you will
probably want to move on to the next place on your list. You need
complete information to make the best choices you can.
