When the best decision that you can make for your senior loved one is to choose nursing home care where that person is going to spend the rest of his/her life, there are so many challenges. First of all, this decision itself is hard because everyone would like to have their loved ones at home and take care of them, but sometimes, professional help is necessary.
You are probably wondering how to choose the best facility for your loved one. Also, with stories of nursing home negligence that are becoming more common, it is hard to trust anyone. But, if you get informed and check the potential nursing home care thoroughly before making a decision, you will feel more confident when you choose the facility to commit to.
There are some specific things you should be careful about and some questions you must ask to make sure that the facility is reliable and that they are providing the best care for residents.
These 5 key questions should help you with making this big decision.
- What Are the Staff-to-Resident Ratios?
This parameter is so important because it is a clear indicator of quality care in the facility. You don’t want to commit to a nursing home that has a low staff-to-resident ratio because this means that they don’t have enough caregivers per resident to provide an individual approach.
It also can lead to negligence, which is probably the last thing anyone would want to happen. When asking about the staff-to-resident ratio, make sure that they have at least one staff member per three residents. This is a minimum for adequate care.
- What Training Does the Staff Receive?
Staff professionalism and expertise are some of the most crucial factors when it comes to patient handling. Ask about their training in areas such as dementia care, emergency responses, etc.
The best facilities should have education programs constantly to keep staff updated on best practices. If you notice that they don’t invest in additional education for staff, this is a red flag.
- How They Handle Emergencies?
This matter is essential, especially if the resident has a medical condition that can lead to serious complications or demands immediate medical care. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about facility procedures in this case, and make sure to find out if they have clear protocols and trained staff to react effectively.
For a better understanding of the importance of reaction to medical emergencies, here’s one example. The resident has pulmonary disease, and he starts to breathe heavily and to show signs of pneumonia. In that case, a quick reaction is crucial for his life, not only for his overall well-being.
A well-trained caregiver is going to take all the necessary steps and contact emergency medical services immediately. Unfortunately, in facilities with poorly educated staff, this situation can be neglected, and it can lead to fatal consequences.
- Are There Systems to Track Resident Well-Being?
You must ask a series of questions about how they track resident well-being. Ask them if they have regular health monitoring for residents. That is something every good care facility must have.
Also, ask about medical check-ups, nutrition plans, mobility assessments, etc. If they provide you with positive answers, make sure to check if their rating tells the same.
- Can You Speak to Current Residents and Their Families?
This will be the most valuable insight you can get. If the facility management tries to avoid letting you speak to current residents or their family members, you forget about that nursing home care immediately.
Hearing from someone who lives in the facility how he feels about that and asking families if they are satisfied with the care provided for their loved ones is crucial in making the right decision.
Be prepared that some facilities can look perfect, but you can hear quite the opposite from residents or families. If they mention anything about nursing home negligence, don’t ignore that!
Asking the right and important questions is absolutely necessary to choose the right facility for your loved one. You must be informed and determined to find out everything about the facility you are considering for a senior family member. Keep in mind that this decision is going to affect your loved one for the rest of his/her life.
Make sure that the nursing care home you are considering committing to has well-trained staff and high staff-to-resident ratios. Find out how they react in medical emergencies and if they track the health condition of residents regularly.
Last but not least, speak to current residents and their families. Ask them if they are satisfied with their choice because this will give you the reassurance that you are making the right and the best possible decision for your elderly.
