What to Look for When Visiting an Elder in Senior Housing
So, you and your loved one have taken the plunge. You’ve put in the time and effort to research senior housing options, take tours and compare your thoughts. The big move is finally behind you both. You might think the hard work is over, but not so fast. Caregiving doesn’t end once a senior has transitioned to a long-term care facility. Now it’s up to you to be their advocate, visit regularly and follow up to determine if this particular senior living facility lives up to your expectations.
You had an idea of what to look for in senior housing when you started this process, and most of those things still apply. However, now that your loved one resides there, your exposure to the community and staff isn’t as limited as it was when you had to go on carefully guided tours as prospective clients. It’s important to continue monitoring a loved one’s care after the move to ensure they’re comfortable, content and well cared for.
A Caregiver’s Tip for Gauging Care Quality in Senior Living
Over the course of two decades, I visited loved ones in senior housing nearly every day. While my visits were focused on spending time with my elders and attending to their needs, it was natural for me to assess how well the nursing home was functioning and whether the staff was meeting my elders’ immediate needs.
We all use slightly different criteria when we evaluate an elder care provider’s appearance and performance. For senior housing, my personal top priority happens to be assessing what I would call the atmosphere. The atmosphere I’m referring to has little to do with decor, although clean, pleasant surroundings are desirable in a senior living setting. I’m more interested in getting a feel for the overall vibe of the facility.
Have you ever entered someone’s home and felt good things about it, even if it’s cluttered or decorated in a way that doesn’t jive with your personal tastes? In some cases, a home can have an aura of happiness or lightness about it and we feel comfortable there. Conversely…
Continue reading on Agingcare for tips about evaluating the care in a senior living facility:
Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories. “I hold onto your book as a life preserver and am reading it slowly on purpose…I don’t want it to end.” …Craig William Dayton, Film Composer
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Support a caregiver or jump-start discussion in support groups with real stories – for bulk orders of Minding Our Elders e-mail Carol
