Let’s face it; we’re all getting older. Although some people try an assortment of ways to delay the process, we are all headed in one direction. As we get older, so do our parents, or even grandparents, if they are still around. If circumstances get to the point where it is necessary to place our elderly loved ones in a long term care facility, how do we decide which one?
Just like anything else, it is very important to gather as much information as you possibly can. This way you are educated. Talk to people who have placed their loved ones into senior living or a nursing home. Choosing the right LTC facility is an important decision.
First, look into the facility’s track record. You can get access to the state’s report on that particular facility, which will include any complaints against the facility, or any actions the state had to take to enforce compliance.
Second, visit the facility. Look around, talk to some of the current residents. Ask about the facilities stand on staffing levels and nursing hours per patient day (HPPD). These things normally lend to the quality of care. Identify the particular needs of your loved one. Every situation is different, so it is important to match the needs with the services of the facility.
Finally, there are some options as far as what type of LTC facility. Some facilities provide 24 hour care with a nursing staff. Others are for more independent residents and provide “assisted care” and may or may not have nurses on the premises at all times. And still others are more of a residential type with some or limited assistance.
