One of the hardest but necessary things that one has to do in life is make the tough decision of placing a vulnerable relative in a nursing home or care center – especially if they’re old and struggling with an illness or disability. Or, you may be working a 9 to 5 job and are not able to give them the full time attention and care that they require at their age.
In such instances, the best way to make sure that they are well cared for and looked after is by finding the best nursing home you can that’s close to you – so you can be sure that they are safe when you’re at work but also visit them often, especially over the weekends.
Finding a nursing home can be difficult, because you don’t want to accidentally make any wrong decisions. However, there are certain tactics that you can use to make sure that your choice is the best choice, simply by paying close attention to these important factors. Keep reading to know more.
1. Keep a close eye on feedback
When it comes to finding a good place that’s safe and reliable for relatives and family members, the best way to find the right place is by being ruthless with your online research. Make sure you go through every single online feedback site you can come across to see what the feedback and reviews look like.
This way, you won’t just be looking at a biased representation of what’s given on their official website, but can also find feedback from people who have experienced what living in the nursing home is going to be like first hand. It also helps to keep an eye out on apps like Quora, where people are more open about their experiences.
2. Make sure there are no law cases against the home
You’d be surprised at the number of care centers and homes that are still running, despite the number of law cases going on against them. Be sure to search the internet for any cases involving your home, since it’s better safe than being sorry later on.
Nursinghomelawyerpa is an online site which gives you an insight into the types of lawsuits that are filed against nursing homes, most of which revolve around the ill-treatment of patients. You can have a look there to understand more about these cases, and also check to see if there have been any lawsuits against the home you’re looking at in the past.
3. Visit the place in person
At the end of the day, online pictures and information can only give you a limited amount of details about the place and living situation. Make sure you head there in person to have a look at the place, people, and surroundings to get a better understanding of how it is run. Some things you’re going to want to find there include:
Kind owners and caregivers who are patientEnough number of caregivers to support the people staying there (some places are terribly short staffed, which you will want to avoid)Good food, warm rooms, and a clean home. Some natural surroundings where they can spend time everyday (do ensure that they won’t be kept indoors at all times)Activities that will keep them occupied, such as puzzles, board games, cards, or books (some places have weekly singing performances to engage and entertain the residents)
4. Speak with other people who have relatives staying there
If possible, try to connect with other individuals who have their family living there – they’ll be able to give you a better insight into what goes on and how well the home is run.
