Advice On Choosing A Skilled Nursing Home Facility
Choosing a skilled nursing home for your loved is not easy, here is advice that will help you.
Advice: Why A Skilled Nursing Facility
These facilities are able to provide the extensive nursing care that can not be provided at home. However finding the right nursing home is a stressful challenge. If you’re looking for skilled nursing care, more than likely, you’re under a bit of pressure because a loved one just had surgery or is facing a deteriorating health episode. If this is the case, get information, as doing so gives you increased chances of finding the right fit.
Advice: Referrals
Does the family doctor, surgeon, or specialist have recommendations? Can you think of family or friends who have used a nursing home? Knowing someone with first-hand involvement can help you narrow your choices. However, you must also consider the possibility that your loved one’s needs may differ from the person giving the referral. Not all skilled nursing facilities are the same, nor are they a good fit for all and for any situation.
Advice: Staff Is Key
Ask about the staff turnover within the home. Working in a nursing home is an extremely demanding job both physically and mentally. Some nursing homes have a high turnover rate, but a quality one will also have staff members who have been there for many years and seem to be happy.
Staffing during the workweek may be adequate or even excellent, but ask what the specific staffing levels are on the weekends, holidays, and evenings. Elderly care never ends; you want to choose a facility that maintains proper staffing even during these non-peak times.
Does the staff seem to genuinely care about the residents in the home? Do they interact with them and talk to them with respect and care? The job satisfaction of the staff will have a profound impact on the quality of elder heath care they provide.
Advice: Know the Resources
Online resources for nursing homes include independent and consumer friendly healthcare websites that afford consumers the ability to share their personal experiences with a large audience.
Get familiar with your state’s long-term care ombudsman office. It’s a valuable resource for patients and families. The long-term ombudsman office tracks conditions of nursing homes.
Advice: Understand the Medical Needs
Each nursing home has different areas of expertise. Know the medical condition of your loved one well enough to understand if the nursing home is skilled in that area. For example, some nursing home facilities are better at caring for people after a stroke, while others may excel in caring for people living with cancer or Alzheimer’s.
Many nursing homes providing long term care, are also concurrently licensed to provide short-term rehabilitation. So, knowing the medical conditions well, gives you an advantage that speeds up recovery.
Advice: Distance From Your Home
Factor in distance. Make sure it’s easy enough for family and friends to visit on a regular basis.
Advice: Making Your Choice
Do your research first. It isn’t ideal to visit several facilities before you’ve gathered information. Visiting the facility comes after research.
Advice: Ask an Expert
Once you’ve collected data and information, the next step is to visit and tour the facility. As a result, you will be armed and empowered with insight and useful stats to help you choose the right nursing care facility.
Contact your local state Ombudsman office – they help patients, families and residents:
- They educate health care and long-term care providers and consumers about the rights and good practices
- They advocate and investigate complaints
- Give public information on facilities and policy issues
Advice: Miscellaneous
- Cleanliness. Does the facility appear fresh and clean? Are the floors and carpets stained and unraveling? Is the furniture well-kept?
- Food. Are the meals nutritious? How are meals prepared and served? Does it appear appetizing? How does the kitchen handle special diets? Is staff available to help with meals? Do residents eat together in the same area and at the same time?
- Arrangement. Nursing homes, in the past, operate like a medical facility. Some nursing homes have changed from that arrangement and move to smaller communities and communal areas. If this type is available in your area, it may provide a more homely feel.
- Activities. What quality of life activities are available for residents? Are outside activities also arranged, health permitting?
- Experience with your condition. Do they have training and education to treat and care for the type of illness or disability your loved one lives with? Does the facility use a specialized staff for care and activities? How does staff handle behavioral problems like agitation or wandering?
About Elmwood Hills
The Premier Skilled Nursing And Rehabilitation Center In Camden County!
Elmwood Hills Healthcare Center, formerly known as the Camden County Health Services Center is the most recent addition to the growing Ocean Healthcare network of word-class healthcare facilities and services. We are committed to providing unrivaled skilled nursing and short term rehabilitation in a home like setting. Our facility features a spacious and breathtaking environment with the latest technologies in advanced healthcare systems and upgraded amenities.
