After you've moved your elder into a long term care facility such as a nursing home, your main function will go from one who provides day to day care to that of an advocate. It will be important that you become aware of exactly what quality nursing home care is. Without an understanding of exactly what should be happening, it will be difficult to know that your elder is getting the care they need and deserve.
Based on my past experiences, I want to pass along 6 key tips to you for monitoring and evaluating your elder's care while they are in a long term care facility.
1. Discuss any concerns you or your elder has with the care being provided with the appropriate staff members.
Should there be concerns with care being provided from a nurse's aid, director of nursing or a physical therapist, you'll want to take these concerns directly to the administrator of the facility. Be sure you approach this person in a calm and organized manner. If you go in angry or condescending, you may not get too far. If you are pleasant and approach things in a professional manner, you're much more likely to get much more action.
2. Be sure that a Comprehensive Assessment is done
By law, a nursing home is required to conduct a Comprehensive Assessment on every new patient within two weeks of being admitted. This assessment includes an evaluation of skin condition, mobility, nutritional and medical status as well as any daily habits the elder has. This assessment is revised anytime there have been significant changes - or at the very least, every three months.
3. Understand The Nursing Home Residents Rights
The facility should give you a copy of these rights upon your elder's admission. If you didn't get one, be sure to ask for it.
4. Be sure to document any concerns
Keep notes on any conversations you have with any staff or administration regarding any issues that arise. Be sure to note any efforts you have made to get a problem resolved, including any contact you've had with state or local agencies. Take photos if you suspect injuries due to neglect.
5. Connect with an ombudsman
Long term care ombudsmen are advocates for the elderly. They don't have any enforcement powers, but they are experienced and are trained to look into and resolve any number of problems that rise in nursing home and long term care facilities.
6. Bring up community concerns you may have at family council meetings
Most facilities hold monthly meetings. If yours doesn't, speak with the social worker assigned to your elder, a social service employee or the administrator about starting a family council group and holding monthly meetings.
Hal has been writing articles online since 2005. Not only does he specialize in elder care issues, he also maintains a number of informative web sites as well. You can check out his latest website here: commercialpatioheaters.org Commercial Patio Heaters which features quality carbackupcamera.org Commercial Patio Heaters.
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