Wednesday, 21 September 2011

The Pitfalls Of Nursing Homes When Choosing Care

By Byron Jonas


There are many reasons why you might find yourself considering options for elderly care and although there are many excellent places it is important to consider the pitfalls of nursing homes. Homes offer many different facilities and what you are looking for can affect your choice. It may also be important to consider the level of training staff have, what is available on site and how the business will change in the coming years. Have the owners got the individuals in their care in mind when they make decisions.

What a nursing home does can vary, many are aimed at specific types of elderly ailments such as dementia. Some are more of a retirement option where it is simply age causing a need for extra care and support. They offer entertainment options and outings which vary from business to business. Often providing personal care and home cooking as well as distribution of medication.

The location of the establishment can be an important consideration as somewhere too far away may reduce the amount of time you can spend visiting. If money is not an option then you can choose the one most suitable provided there are enough rooms available, however this is not always the case and the home you want to choose does not always match the budget you have available.

It is not always the first thing you think of when checking out potential rooms for your loved one but it is a question that should be asked. Do they have sufficient staff with appropriate qualifications on hand all the time. Is the training provided for staff regularly updated and on going. Specific training for different specialized things is often updated on a yearly basis and staff should have regular training to keep them working to the right standards around your relative.

If the facilities on offer are good you will often see evidence of this around the building, games rooms and good television and audio equipment. Photographs of recent outings sometimes decorate the walls as well as organized events both indoors and outdoors. Large gardens can provide a level of privacy and room for residents to have some space to themselves. What you want to know is whether the activities are suitable for their age group and ability as well as how often they take place.

Nursing homes are businesses and the facilities and care is all paid for by the fees you pay. The ability of the owners to provide the right level of care and a suitable environment can be evident when you compare the price asked for their room to the standard of presentation in the home. Staff who appear happy and helpful are also a good sign that the business is run well and will often be willing to tell you all the great things about their work place.

People feel more valued when their individual needs and opinions are taken into consideration. Occasionally choices can be made for a business which do not take individuals into account but rather are made for the sake of the business. Sometimes the business has no choice but any decision can have a knock on effect to the residents.

So whether or not you decide to leave your loved one in the care of others or continue to care for them yourself you will hopefully have considered your options carefully. Whether the staff in a potential home are adequately trained and whether the facilities available to the residents fulfill your needs. Ask whether there are any future plans for the business and whether the individuals will be consulted before a decision is made. Choose wisely as it is often the last home your relatives will know.




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