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Evaluate your situation concerning your loved one,
is he or she requiring more care than you can give them. Asking their
physician what level he or she thinks is best is most credible in
determining what level of care they need.
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Consider where you want your needs met. Do you want
to stay in your home and have an agency provide the services? Or do
you want to move your loved one in a facility? Then decide where the
facility should be near you or a close family member.
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Do you want a small facility such as a personal
care home where there is more one on one and fewer residents, or would
you like the large style facility with more residents and amenities.
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Think about the income and other resources such as
savings, investments, sale of residence in considering senior
placement. Medicare covers only a small percentage of those who
require intense nursing home health care services. If the person
qualities for Medicare/Medicaid most costs will be covered going into
a skilled facility or for rehabilitation. Costs for independent and
assisted living facilities are almost always the responsibility of the
individual on a private pay basis.
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Visit 3 ~ 5 facilities before making your final
decision. Schedule a tour of facilities and ask questions regarding
levels of care, amenities, activities, meals, ratio of caregivers to
patient or resident of facility etc.
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If you are seeking an assisted living facility,
personal care home or nursing home consider the following:
- Avoid a facility that is going through a crisis or as had a
reputation of crisis situations. Check
ratings of facilities. Be very careful in your decision.
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Plan ahead, keep in mind not all facilities have
availability and there may be a long waiting list. Sometimes six
months to two years.
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Call the Georgia Nursing Home Association
(678)289-6555 and Atlanta Ombudsman Program (404)371-3803 for
resources on ratings of facilities.
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Nursing homes are very busy, make an appointment
with the Admissions Director and ask questions and take a tour of
facility.
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Observe the following while in the facility:
- Is it clean?
- Any unpleasant odors? (Remember that even the cleanest may have
areas that temporarily
have some unpleasant odors.
- Has there been an effort to make surroundings pleasant and homelike?
- Does staff respond to residents with respect?
- Do meals seem appealing?
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Ask questions including:
- What specific training has been provided to current staff to care
for someone who has
Alzheimer’s disease?
- What does the staff do to guarantee safety for someone with
Alzheimer’s who may be
confused, disorientated, or wandering?
- What types of activities or programs do they provide that are
specific for persons with
dementia? Listen to everyone’s input, but respect the aspects of your
needs that are unique.
- Is the latest state inspection report available for your review?
Don’t leave without asking.
- Can the facility accommodate special needs? |
