When it comes to placing an elderly relative into a care home, it is not an easy decision. In most cases, such as choice will have been agreed upon by grown-up children or other close members of the family after their family member has been in a bad way physically or mentally (or both) for some time.
However, there is more to placing someone in care than simply choosing the nearest option. With so many different care homes to choose from, there are lots of things that loved ones will need to consider. So, read on to learn about what you need to look for when choosing a care home for your elderly family member.
Assess Needs and Preferences
When it comes to choosing a care home for an older relative, the first thing you need to look at is the needs of your loved one. Do they need care for conditions like Alzheimer’s? Do they have arthritis? Are they religious? There are many different kinds of care homes out there, many specialized for conditions like Alzheimer’s, arthritis, heart issues, etc. There is also faith-based senior living in Missouri, New York, and Jacksonville too, so make sure that your loved one’s basic needs are met and that any religious preferences are respected.
Do Your Research
When it comes to choosing a care home in general, you need to do your research. As said before, there are many care homes out there, but sadly, not all of them are what you might call 5-star! The best way to do this part of the research is to look into independent reviews that have been left by family members on Google or other review sites. Do they think the staff are good? Do they think their relative is being cared for? If you need to do some more research, visit the care homes yourself.
Visit!
That leads nicely to this point; when you have narrowed down your search, you will need to conduct visits to the homes on your shortlist. Are they clean? Are there any bad smells? Also, be on the lookout for how the staff interacts with the residents; do they seem kind and compassionate? Or do they seem stressed out and overworked?
Talk To The Staff
When it comes to engaging with staff when visiting a care home, this is important for your own peace of mind. Be sure to ask basic questions about the staff-to-resident ratio and ask about shift rotations, training, and medical support. For instance, is there always a doctor on site? Or, what is the situation relating to ambulances at the home? Do they have to be called in, or is there a private one?
Cost
It may seem unsavory, but care homes vary in price, and, as such, when it comes to choosing one, this is a big factor. Ask about terms, contracts, and whether there are any government-funded places in the care home of your choice. Also, if you have concerns about being able to pay, be sure to ask the staff for advice on charities or other groups that can help you with the medical costs.