A couple days ago, we posted a blog going over things that you should know and consider before you use an assisted living facility for the care of an elderly loved one. Today, we are going to go over the things to consider before you and your family decide upon the use of a nursing home. Remember, the nursing home is the best place for some people, and we are not saying that you should never send a loved one there. For many people, they are the place where they will stay the healthiest and the happiest. Still, before you decide, make sure that you are educated. Here are a few things to think about to get you started.
Safety is placed higher on lists of priorities at some nursing homes than it is at others. This is especially true of those that are suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. In some instances, doors might not always be locked to prevent those with dementia from wandering out. This is a common problem with those suffering from Alzheimer’s so if your loved one falls into this category, be sure that you address this with the officials at the nursing homes you are looking at.
Not everything is covered in the cost paid upfront. The monthly rate that you pay to the nursing home will cover many things, but not everything. In many institutions, thinks like phone calls, prescriptions, physician appointments, excessive amounts of laundry, and a variety of other things are typically extra expenses. Medicare or Medi-Cal might cover some of these things, others they will not. If you are going to be using a nursing home for a loved one, be sure that you know exactly what your expenses are, and what they will be used for.
Finally, you should be aware of who has the legal authority when it comes to making decisions for your parent. This goes for both financial decisions and medical care decisions. If there is a living will or a living trust set up, be sure that the stipulations made within are followed as closely as possible. If someone has power of attorney over a loved one, be sure that they are given the final say in what happens. Also be sure that your parent is or would be happy with the decision that is being made, given the circumstances. No one wants to go to a nursing home, but if that’s what is best for them, there’s not much you can do. If you don’t have this, it is okay to observe what’s going on and be an advocate for your loved one.
Again, we are not posting this here to encourage you away from using a nursing home. In many instances, this is the absolute best choice that you can help a loved one make for themselves. Nursing homes offer more medical supervision than in-home care or assisted living facilities can. However, we do want to encourage you to be as educated as possible about this decision before you make it. It’s a big one, and the more you know, the better equipped you will be when it comes time to help your loved one receive the senior care that they need.
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