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January 26, 2009 Shop
Now in the Our Caregiver's e-Mall is filling up with great stores and a growing number of items just in time for the holidays. Whether you browse and find a book or tape to help you with caregiving, or come across a wonderful gift for a friend or family member, the e-Mall can be your source for easy shopping and gift-giving. So, click on the dark blue Caregiver's e-Mall buttons throughout our site and enter a comfortable, secure shopping experience with major merchants while avoiding the hassle of having to find a parking place or matching your shopping hours with someone else's. Our mall is just a click away and is open 24 hours every day. Watch for additional stores opening in the e-Mall soon!
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Posted: January 05, 2004 Practical CaregivingFinding the 'Right' Nursing Home How do you
choose a good nursing home for your loved one? That's the question
thousands of people face every day, and now you are one of those
people. You can't take care of your loved one in your home but you feel
torn about putting them in a nursing home -- even though there isn't
any other alternative. It is time to find a nursing home for your loved
one. First you need to
determine what nursing homes are available in the area for your loved
one. You can go to the telephone book, ask friends, relatives,
ministers, hospitals and anyone else that you think might be able to
give you useful information. While you are talking to them, be sure to
ask which ones they would choose to be in themselves and why. You will
probably want to try to make sure your loved one's friends and/or other
relatives are close enough to conveniently visit them. Go to http://www.medicare.gov/
and search for nursing homes in your area. You will find the
government's evaluation of each nursing home. You can also call
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and a Customer Service Representative
will read the information to you. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
Also check out our own Family Tree of Elder Caregiving under the
Resources tab on this site for a selection of Residential Care
Facilities. Call the nursing
homes. At this point, all you need to talk about is the cost and level
of care your loved one needs. Don't worry, this won't be your only
chance to ask questions. When you know
which ones meet the above criteria, make an appointment with the
administrator. Go over the finances and level of care again during this
visit, but there are other questions you need to ask. Here are some
questions you should ask, but don't forget to evaluate your loved one's
situation individually and include questions specific to their needs: Special Services
- Does the home have special services in a separate section when
needed? Is there usually a bed available in that unit? This would
include sections like an Alzheimer's unit or rehabilitation unit. Time Frame - How
long does it usually take to get someone into the home after making an
application? Sometimes you can get your loved one in immediately and
sometimes there is a waiting list. Patients - How
many beds do they have and how much care and medication do the existing
residents require? Staffing - How
many nurses, CNAs, and other employees do they have to take care of
patients? What doctors and hospitals do they use? How often do the
doctors visit? How far is the hospital? Visits - What is
their policy on visits from friends and relatives? Do they allow
friends and relatives to eat with the patient without a prior
reservation? Restraints - When
do they use restraints, and what restraints do they use? When and why
do they sedate patients? What alternatives do they use rather than
restraints and sedation? Personal
Belongings - How do they take care of your loved one's personal things
such as jewelry and watches. Meals - Can a
resident choose within reason what they want to eat? Ask to see a
week's menu. Can you eat there occasionally? Contact With You
- Will they let you know whenever there is a fall, cut or any physical
problem? Are you expected to become involved with decisions regarding
your loved one? How much physical involvement in the patient's care do
they expect from you? Remember that you of course should visit, but
they should take care of your loved one - that's why you're looking
into homes in the first place. Problems - How do
they handle things when there are problems. What procedures are in
place when something is missing or your loved one is bruised or suffers
a fall that shouldn't have happened or could have been prevented? How
should you report a problem or something missing? Other Questions -
Ask any other questions you might want to know. Now is the time. While you are
there, ask for a tour of the site. Notice how the home smells, whether
the building is clean, how the patients look (grooming), what
activities are going on at the time, what the kitchen looks like,
whether there are any bells ringing for an extended period of time
(yes, this happens!), and anything else that is either apparent or not
so apparent. Talk with a
couple of residents, if you can, to get their impression of where they
live. Ask what they like most and what they dislike most. If you are
not allowed to talk with them, ask the administrator why. Depending on
the answer, this could be a trouble sign. At this point, if
you haven't already, discuss the possible homes that suit your
standards with your loved one. They may prefer a certain home if they
have friends there. They may already have good or bad impressions of
certain homes. The next step is
to make two or three unannounced visits at different times of day,
including nights and weekends. Notice whether the patients seem happy,
what activities are going on and whether patients are taking part in
them or just sitting there, whether they appear healthy, clean and
comfortable, whether the staff treats them with respect, whether the
staff appears happy. Also take a
closer look at details of the home: are the sheets clean, are rooms
well lighted and ventilated, is the room temperature comfortable, are
there handrails and grab bars in the halls, rooms and bathrooms; and
last but not least, is the food inviting and does the staff make sure
everyone has plenty to eat? Always remember
that a nursing home doesn't provide the intimate care your loved one
would receive at home, but these facilities are there to give your
loved one the best possible quality of life. And remember that your
choice of a home need not be permanent; if your loved one does not
receive the care you and they expect, you can move them to a different
nursing home. © 2004 Pederson Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Commercial use, redistribution or other forms of reuse of this information is strictly prohibited without the prior written permission of Pederson Publishing. ______ Please send me your questions, comments and issues regarding the practical side of caregiving at ASKJEAN@caregivershome.com, and remember to take advantage of our professionals and experts in the Ask an Expert section of our website. You'll find it in the left column on our homepage. |
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