Growing up, you never think about the choices you’ll one day have to make for your parents. However, as you get older, so do they, and you will one day likely be the one caring for them as they once did for you. For some children, this means choosing a nursing home that fits the needs and budget of your family.
There are a variety of nursing home options out there to choose from, so how do you choose the right one? Below are tips to help you learn exactly how to choose the best nursing home for your parents when that time comes.
Budget
Nursing home costs can be quite expensive, and many of them have certain budget requirements your parents must meet in order to become a resident. While searching for a nursing home, have a good understanding of your parent’s (or your) budget. Then, use this information to find the options that fit within that budget.
It’s also important to keep in mind what assets and insurance can be used to accommodate these budgets. For instance, some nursing homes will accept collateral as payment (such as liens on houses and cars) while others will not.
In addition, some allow insurance to cover a portion of the cost while others don’t. No matter your specific situation, it’s always important to have a full understanding of budget in order to move forward.
Safety
Unfortunately, there are many cases of elderly abuse taking place at nursing homes across the world. You want the place you put your parents to be the best of the best, so you need to do some research and find out if these homes on your list have any pending or past lawsuits against them for abuse or neglect.
According to Schwartzapfel wrongful death lawyers, “Negligence and wrongful death accusations and lawsuits can have a negative impact on a nursing home, so thorough research is necessary when choosing the right facility for your loved ones.” The more research you can do on a company before signing any contracts, the more peace of mind you’ll have to put your parents in their care.
Location
Location is always an important factor when choosing a nursing home for your parents. In most cases, you’ll want to have them nearby in case anything happens or you just want to stop by for a visit. Talk with your parents and your siblings (if any) to determine the best possible location for your parents.
For instance, do you want to pick somewhere in a town with one of your siblings or yourself, or would you rather your parents be an equal distance away from all of you? In addition, you should also think about location in terms of your parents’ doctors or activities, as this could create an uproar in their schedule and care.
Medical Care
Some nursing homes have in-house medical providers while others do not. You need to think about the type of care your parents will need while in the home and be sure you’re choosing a location that fits these specific needs.
For instance, if your parents are prone to accidents or illness, having an in-house doctor could be extremely beneficial. However, if your parents are in decent health and close to their regular doctor or hospital, choosing a home without 24/7 in-house care could also be okay.
Amenities
Not all nursing homes are built the same, so let amenities and activities play a role in which one you choose for your parents. For instance, if you have a choice of a facility that offers things like a pool, exercise opportunities, games, and fraternizing, then it could be good for your parents.
However, if the home you’re looking at doesn’t come with any amenities or activities, it could be hard for your parents to feel at home. Obviously, the type of amenities you will need will depend on what type of condition your parents are in, so be sure to have this conversation before you make a final decision.
Room
Take a tour of the nursing homes you are visiting and see what the rooms look like. Are they nice and comfortable? Do they seem updated with the latest technology? The more you like the room, the better the choice will be. After all, your parents will be spending quite a bit of time in these rooms, so it’s important you make a good choice.
Choosing a nursing home is never going to be an easy decision, but using these tips can help you make the right possible choice.
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Great Post and well known with Bullet points.
Hi Friend, Thanks for the great post about how to choose the right nursing home for our parents. We all struggle to do that so I am really thankful to you.