Are you assisting an elder in finding a skilled nursing facility? If so, there are certain things you should be sure to look for or ask about on a tour. The presence or absence of these key features should figure into your loved one’s decision.
6 Important Attributes of a High-Quality Elder Care Provider
In the course of doing research online, visiting a skilled nursing facility in person and talking with its staff members, here are some key considerations to keep in mind:
-
- Facility maintenance and cleanliness. How clean an elder care environment is will vary based on when you tour it. For example, if you arrive immediately after a scheduled cleaning, it should look great. If you take a tour just prior to the next scheduled cleaning, things won’t look quite so tidy. That’s to be expected. But, every elder deserves to live in a community that is generally well-maintained and clean.
- Staff compassion. If you see examples of staff members dealing with residents in a warm, friendly and patient manner, that is a good sign. On the other hand, if they seem rude or insensitive, that should raise concerns. If they are not compassionate when visitors are on site, how do they behave when nobody is around?
- Staff experience. When taking a tour, you should ask your guide about the experience level of the staff. It’s not necessary that everyone has decades working in a skilled nursing facility. But ideally, there should be some seasoned veterans in the mix who are experienced in dealing with any kind of issue that may arise.
- Services for current and future needs. It is important to know how well a community can handle an elder’s current needs. It is equally important to learn about services that the person might need in the future.
- State surveys and personal opinions. On your tour, you should ask about how the facility has scored on state-mandated inspections. You should also ask if you can talk with any residents and families about their experience. If for some reason that is not possible, you should see if you can find feedback online.
- Total costs. Each skilled nursing facility has its own way of breaking down its fees. Be sure that you understand the total cost your loved one will incur if they become a resident. The last thing they want is to get a bill with unexpected extra charges.
Finding The Right Community for Your Loved One
Finding a skilled nursing facility that meets all of an elder’s needs requires doing your “homework.” However, it is very much worth the effort. Our community at Greenhouse Homes at Mirasol is geared toward seniors who want to live in a real-home setting where they feel engaged, supported and appreciated. We’re proud of the positive environment we’ve created and welcome questions from elders and their families.
January/08/2019 |
News
