What are the things that we should be looking for/into when considering a NH placement for very elderly parent with dementia and mobility issues? Has been cared for in home with 24/7 caregivers for several years. How to know that this is the best decision?
If it is financially possible to continue at home, and you want assurance that a move is the "best decision" I think you'll have to explain why you are considering the move.
In selecting a care center, location is important. If it is too far away for frequent visits that is a negative.
If staff have their own loved ones there, I take that as a good sign.
There is always high turnover in care centers, but if the center has a lot of long-term employees, I think that is positive.
Don't be too influenced by attractive settings. I'll bet dad would rather have friendly and compassionate care than a beautiful new building. (Not that you can't have both -- just don't give the setting a lot of weight.)
Will you be private pay? Does Dad want a private room? Is one available?
Look at the activities calendar. Is there anything on there that Dad might enjoy? Bingo? Live music? Movie night? Ask about how they encourage residents to participate. No one should be forced, but no one should be ignored.
My mother will eat anything as long as someone else cooks it and cleans up afterward. She loves the NH food. If your father is a little more fussy than that, look at the menus. Ask about what alternatives are available if he doesn't like the day's offering.
Here are some AgingCare articles on the subject:
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/checklist-to-find-a-nursing-home-for-elderly-parents-137428.htm
https://www.agingcare.com/questions/how-do-i-find-nursing-home-for-my-father-155070.htm
This is an emotionally charged issue. Try to work on it when you are feeling calm.
Keep us informed about how this is going for you.
-what is the patient to aide/nurse ratio
-what kind of patients does the center accept (are there a lot of complicated wounds, behaviors, bariatric patients, tracheostomies, tube feeds etc). These will all take extra time away from your father and should be considered when looking at patient/staff ratio
-ask to see the citations the center was given by State surveyors.
-do the staff and patients seem tense or happy?
The comment about for-profit vs non-profit is good, I would go further and say there's a huge difference between some in business for 50 yrs and are upstanding members of their communities (perhaps church-based but maybe not), and some who (if you research you can find out) is a bunch of investors who got together to build a money-making machine.
Also ask what plans are in place in case of building evacuation. If there's a hurricane, mudslide, chemical spill, etc, how do they plan to provide care in these situations?
Just pointing out that not all old folks hate the institutional food.
re ; the ' coffee '
i think its pencil shavings and black - ish ink .
my NH advice is ; let the staff know you are listening closely to the patient , relay the patients concerns to the staff but dont argue with them or try to push them around . they are generally following age old protocol and you are the one in the ' learners ' seat . try to be a team player and an asset to the patient and staff .
See All Answers