By Karen Guice | Webster Parish Council on Aging
Karen’s Korner,
I know long-term care may become a very important part of a senior adult’s life, in their later years. And many will have to possibly enter a nursing home at some time in their life.
In doing a little research and being a long-term care Ombudsman for over fifteen years, I have found some important facts when choosing a nursing home. Not all nursing homes are the same, yet all nursing homes have the same requirements, and that is to provide the very best care for their residents.
Here are some facts to consider:
A Nursing Home is a residence that provides the following:
- Room
- Meals
- Skilled Nursing
- Rehabilitation
- Medical Services
- Supervision – (24 hours p/day – 7 days p/week)
Payments to facilities:
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- Private Insurance
- Private Pay
When searching for a nursing home you will want to consider the following:
- A nursing home should feel like a home, not an institution or a hospital.
- A nursing home should be resident-centered, with the emphasis placed on “individualized care.”
- A nursing home is on top of the 7 Fundamentals of Quality Care!
- 1. Help with bathing, eating, and going to the bathroom,
- 2. Keeping residents’ hair, teeth, and clothes clean,
- 3. Offering a variety of good nourishing food,
- 4. Providing meals in a sociable setting,
- 5. Helping people stay involved socially,
- 6. Arranging for medical help, when necessary,
- 7. Minimizing the occurrence of injuries and property loss.
- A nursing home should be clean and odor free.
- A nursing home welcomes family involvement.
- A nursing home provides a well-trained, responsive, and caring staff, with the Resident at the very heart of their work.
For many seniors, it becomes their home for the remainder of their lives, and much care and consideration must go into making the decision for the right long-term care facility for you, or your loved one.