| By :
Jamie Simpson
There are many factors to consider when choosing a residential facility for a loved one. An independent medical evaluation by the primary physician or your local Department of Aging if available may help to decide what type of facility is appropriate. Assisted living facilities are appropriate for people who are able to safely spend time unsupervised but still require help with personal care or medication management for example. Nursing home care may be necessary if the person is unable to remain safely at home and assisted living does not provide adequate monitoring. In this case, finding the right facility can be a difficult process but there are steps to that can be taken to help provide peace of mind. Making a list of facilities is the first step. You should first decide upon location and then check availability and cost to help narrow down the list. Once a list has been made, contact each facility or maybe select the top choices to enquire about a visit. Reputable nursing homes should have admissions personnel who are trained in providing tours and answering questions. When touring a facility there are a number of things to consider and it is beneficial to keep a notebook to record observations. Make note of how clean the facility is and whether the communal areas are uncluttered and easily accessible. Ask how many residents a care attendant is responsible for and what is the ratio of nursing staff to residents. Also, determine what type of licensing is required of their medication administration personnel as this can vary from registered nurse to medication aide. There should be activities available and you may be able to meet with the coordinator of activity programs. Ask whether residents are encouraged to attend and whether those who are less independent are assisted in activities. During a tour it is beneficial to observe the current residents of the facility; do they appear properly dressed and groomed? You may observe interactions between staff members and residents; are they attentive and friendly? The facility should make it convenient for families and friends to visit with open visiting hours and drop-in visits encouraged. There are many services that nursing homes should offer such as social work, pharmacy, housekeeping, dietary and psychiatry to name a few. When considering placement you should decide which factors may be most important to you and investigate accordingly. For example, if you have particular dietary needs and many nursing facility residents do, you should be able to review this with staff and visit during dining hours. A very important consideration is physician services. Enquire about the availability of medical staff, a large facility may have its own resident physician whereas a smaller facility may rely on an on call or as needed service. You should be able to meet with the physician and discuss any particular medical issues or needs. Above all, asking questions of staff and residents is the best way to determine if a facility is suitable to meet your needs.
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