NH placement guidelines

[Guest guest]

Hi Dena,

You are most welcome. I know most people look at NH placement as a

very negative and bad thing but there are quality facilities out

there. You just have to do your homework and research first.

Narrow your selections and then make visits to each at different

times of the day. Check for the following:

Do the residents seem happy?

Are they clean and odor free? Is their hair combed? Are their

nails clean?

Does the staff react in a positive manner to the residents?

Does the staff appear happy in their work?

Are there numerous activities offered 7 days per week both day time

and evening hours or are the residents just sitting in the hallways

staring at the floor or ceiling?

Is the building clean and odor free?

Ask to stay for a meal and sample the food. Ask the residents if

they like the food.

Be sure to check about any add on costs. Many NHs give you a base

rate but fail to tell you if they have " add on costs " such as

diapers, laundry, feeding, etc.

Shop around - your efforts will pay off.

Good luck to you!

Kathy

>

> > Hi Dena,

> > My prayers and heart go out to you. My Mom is not

> > at that stage

> > yet, but I know it is coming. Making that final

> > decision about

> > placement is always difficult. I can speak however,

> > from both sides

> > on this subject. I am new to this LBDers support

> > group but not the

> > care of the elderly.

> >

> > I have a Mom with LBD and I am also a nursing home

> > administrator of

> > a quality skilled nursing facility in IL. Don't

> > despair. There are

> > very good nursing homes out there that will take

> > excellent care of

> > your Mom. It won't be as you would provide of

> > course, but good care

> > all the same. I know that I will be facing

> > placement for my Mom in

> > the future. I have heart pains over it but know

> > that when the time

> > comes it will be for the best for all of us. There

> > comes a time

> > when home care is not the best option for the LO or

> > the family. And

> > 24 hour home care costs much more than a nursing

> > facility.

> >

> > I think calling hospice is an excellent first step.

> > They call help

> > you with care at home or with nursing home

> > placement. It sounds

> > like your Mom definitely needs an air bed.

> > Eggcrates are not the

> > way to go. They harbor bacteria and breed

> > infections. Once bed

> > sores start they are difficult to heal and it takes

> > a long time for

> > them to heal. You definitely need some professional

> > help.

> >

> > If you want to check out facilities in your area you

> > can do so

> > online on the Medicare website. Go to nursing home

> > compare and you

> > can find info on the latest state surveys for the

> > homes in your area

> > and how well they provide care. They also have info

> > on how to

> > select a good nursing home.

> >

> > I hope this helps. Please don't blame yourself. It

> > sounds like you

> > have done a wonderful job for your Mom. It is not

> > your fault she

> > has reached this stage. It is this terrible disease

> > which has

> > stricken both of our Mothers.

> >

> > Hugs,

> > Kathy

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

> __________________________________________

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