Placing a Loved One in A Nursing Home: All You Need to Know

Placing a parent or a relative in a nursing home is never easy. If you feel overwhelmed by doubts and worries, you should know it’s perfectly natural to feel this way. Your loved one’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being depends on the competence of the care providers you select. This is why finding the right nursing home can be a daunting process. Unfortunately, even though nursing homes promise to take excellent care of their vulnerable residents, this is not always the case. Care quality can vary from one facility to another, so you have to weigh your options well. 

Here is all you need to know about placing a loved one in a nursing home. 

Compare Facilities in Your Area

Your loved one will appreciate regular visits from family and friends, so don’t choose a nursing home that’s far away from everyone in the family. Compare facilities in your local area to make the best decision for your loved one. And even if you consider that a more distant facility offers better services at a better cost, don’t underestimate the difficulties posed by distance. 

Visit Nursing Homes

Although conducting research online and making phone calls can be incredibly helpful when comparing facilities, find the time to visit the nursing homes that interest you. A proper visit is the only way to judge the atmosphere of a place. During your visit, ask the staff questions and talk with the residents about their experience at the facility. A direct conversation can tell you more than any review or rating. 

Use A Checklist to Evaluate Care Quality 

Every senior has different needs. While some struggle with physical illness, others struggle with mental disorders. Meanwhile, perfectly healthy seniors still expect to be able to pursue hobbies and socialize in their later years. When choosing a facility for a loved one, it’s vital to check if the nursing home offers all the conditions to meet their physical, mental, and emotional needs. So, create a checklist of essentials services that the ideal nursing home should offer. The checklist can include transportation options, social activities, exercise programs, access to highly specialized doctors, nutrition plans, therapy, vaccinations, and other things you consider critical.  

Don’t Tolerate Signs of Negligence 

You should never let the guard down when it comes to your loved one’s well-being. Unfortunately, a shocking number of elders suffer neglect, abuse, or negligence in nursing homes due to various objective and subjective reasons. So, you should always be cautious and monitor your loved one’s physical and mental health. Look for signs of negligence during every visit. If you have any solid reason to suspect a lack of proper care or management issues, contact a lawyer specialized in nursing home negligence. The lawyer can help you recover the care cost and get compensation for the physical and mental distress that your loved one has suffered. 

A nursing home should be a place where the elderly find serenity, a sense of community, and dedicated care. Use the tips above to make the best choice for your loved one.

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