You will not find too many people who will willingly leave their homes to stay in a nursing home. But then, life is like this! You have to accept the reality of old age and be prepared to move to a nursing home when it becomes increasingly difficult for you to carry on with your day-to-day activities.
It is safe in the nursing home, but the quality of care varies considerably with different nursing homes. While there are many nursing homes that would offer you warm and tender care, there are many homes that are run with cold professionalism.
While you look for a nursing home for your loved one, try to collect as much information about the home as possible. This research will prevent any kind of disillusionment in the future.
Look for the following criteria while you are looking for a good nursing home for your loved one.
Attitude towards the residents
Irrespective of their disabilities, the residents are entitled to respectful behavior on the part of the nursing home staff. The staff in nursing homes should be caring and sharing. They should offer the required care in a friendly manner.
Staying at a nursing home does not mean the end of privacy and the staff should be trained to remember that. They should maintain the basic courtesies such as knocking on the door before entering the room, and the senior should be informed about any kind of procedure beforehand.
Home-like Set up
It is quite painful to stay away from home. A good nursing home is one that always tries to maintain a home-like surrounding. The residents should be comfortable in their stay at the nursing home.
For example, some nursing homes allow their residents to take some of their home furniture to the nursing home. Some nursing homes even make it possible for the residents to indulge in gardening, and everybody knows how interaction with green friends helps to keep senior people in good stead.
The factor of nutrition
Foods are an essential part of living in all ages. The elderly people should also be served good foods that are not only balanced and nutritious but taste good as well. The foods should be served in an attractive way, along with social interaction.
Check to be sure that the residents get specially prepared meals if they need them for certain health problems or eating difficulties.
The good nursing homes also keep in mind the cultural or ethnic backgrounds before serving meals to their residents.
The family members, as well as the doctors, should be supplied with proper feedback about how the patient is responding to the foods offered to him.
The environment should be sparkling clean
Make sure the environment of the nursing home is clean enough. Check with the other residents, whether they are clean and properly groomed and neatly dressed. Make sure the construction of the nursing home is proper and suitable for the movement of elderly persons.
Last of all, look for extra amenities such as beauty salons, shops, or internet cafes. Beauty salons instill confidence in an elderly person, the internet access opens up the channel for easy communication for seniors.
