People who work in Nursing Homes

My family is starting to look at nursing homes for my grandmother. It looks like we will have all the paperwork in place to have her placed as early as next week, so my mom and her siblings are feeling a little stressed out over this.

What should we be looking for? What are some warning signs that may not be so obvious to people who have no experience with this?

Thanks so much!
Cathy

Re: People who work in Nursing Homes

Sending you FM.

Re: People who work in Nursing Homes

Re: People who work in Nursing Homes

Re: People who work in Nursing Homes

FM!

Re: People who work in Nursing Homes

FM!!!!

Re: People who work in Nursing Homes

I had my grandmother in a nursing home and my dad in a residential rehabilitation center. When I got engaged we looked at assisted living for him but decided against it. Expect to have to look at a lot of places. I must have looked at 15 rehab places. Some were absolutely awful. A few members of the family should visit and try to go during meal times.

1. Ask about the menu. How many choices do the residents have? Low sodium? Special diet? etc.
How many aids are present at meal time.

2. Notice how clean or dirty everything is. Ask how often bed clothes are changed. When is laundry picked up and brought back?

3. Ask to see a resident's room.

4. Ask for a schedule of activities that the residents participate in.

5. If applicable, do they hold religious services? When?

6. Is there a separate Alzheimer's/Dimensia ward? How is security handled?

7. What will your grandmother be able to bring with her?

8. Will they have a "pocket change" account for her there so she can have access to a small amount of money for outings, bingo, etc. w/o having to keep it in her room.

When my grandmother was in we noticed how long it took to get all of the residents in a communal area. For example, how many aids did they have to wheel the patients to services.

Also, please, please, please try to get her to leave any valuables with loved ones. I've heard horror stories of the elderly "losing" their engagement rings, money, family heirlooms.

FYI, try to pick someplace local to a few family members. The more people stop by, unannounced at various times of the day, the better to check up on things and the better for Grandma.

Good luck. It's not easy

Re: People who work in Nursing Homes

Once they are placed - a suggestion that was given to us by a few nurses I work with that used to work in homes - make frequent unannounced visits never at the same time. This will keep them on their toes and you can see what their care is actually like - if they are not expecting you - sad to say.

Re: People who work in Nursing Homes

Thank you all so much. We really appreciate all the input.

Re: People who work in Nursing Homes

My dad was in a nursing home for almost 2 years before he passed. I was up there a lot and can tell you to make sure you are on top of the aids and nurses. My family became very close to the entire staff but that's because one of us was always there with my dad everyday.
If you have any questions fm me.