Dr. Eboni Green
December 16, 2022
Making the decision that it’s time for your elderly parent to move into a long-term care facility is never easy, yet in some instances it is essential if your parent needs care you might not be able to offer. Selecting the right long-term care facility will impact your parent’s experience. In fact, you will want to be sure your elderly parent is in good hands. The following are tips you can use to select the best long-term care facility for your elder parent:
The first step is to check online for reviews and reports. Pay careful attention to reviews left by residents or family members of residents that discuss their experiences. You may also identify reports published by governing bodies and potential third parties (such as nursing home abuse lawyers) if a facility has been investigated. Accessing all of this information will help you to make the most informed decision, as you’ll be able to pinpoint a long-term care facility that has positive reviews and good reports. Steer clear of any care home that has been subject to a criminal investigation or has proven themselves as poor in recent reports, as you certainly won’t want to subject your elderly parents to such conditions. Don’t make the mistake of simply reading ‘feedback’ on a residential home’s personal website, as this will likely not be unbiased by any stretch of the imagination.
Even if you spend hours researching a range of different care homes, you’ll never be able to get the same feel as walking through the facility in person. You want to take the opportunity to pay them a visit in person before you and your elder parent make the decision about any facility. Pay special attention to the facility, staff, and the disposition of other residents. Is the facility a happy place? Are the staff friendly? Is the space clean? You may choose to visit during the daytime and see how staff members interact with the residents and one another. Don’t be afraid to ask one of the residents about their experience and can offer a relevant insight into the care being provided. Try to avoid visiting during days when events are taking place, as you need to see a more natural day-to-day environment to gain insight into the normal operations in the facility.
Choosing the best care home with your elderly parents will not be easy. However, together you can find options where your loved one can live happily while having their care needs met.
