Entering a long-term care facility is a serious decision and one that must be made with as much information as possible. Knowing what to look for in a facility, the questions to ask, and what residents are entitled to are all necessary. This article can help senior citizens or family members who must make a choice to make a wise one.
Whether the responsibility of finding a long-term care facility, such as a nursing home or residential-care center, has fallen on your shoulders or you are a senior citizen checking all the options, there are things you should know when choosing a facility. Entering a long-term nursing-care facility is not a simple matter. You should thoroughly investiage the facility and its staff to keep everyone involved and happy and to protect their rights. A tour of any facility under consideration is a must, and the potential resident should have the final say if he or she is able to express a preference.
Major Considerations
Those seeking information about any care facility will have many questions that require complete answers. Begin with a phone call to the facility. Speak with the social worker, social services director, or nursing home administrator. Ask many questions, gather information and facts, and tour the site. If you or your loved one fails to feel that questions have been answered, it’s very important to see that satisfactory information is provided. Don’t leave until you have the answers you need.
The first thing to learn is what type of payment the facility can accept. Is the home a Medicare or Medicaid certified one? Do they accept your insurance? How and when will billing be done? Will there be ancillary charges for things like laundry? Can the family pick up dirty laundry and return clean garments? Can the family provide over-the-counter medications as needed or will these items be charged to the resident? How much of the burden of cost will fall upon the prospective resident and family? Answers to all these questions are some of the first that must be found.
Each nursing home or care facility is different. Some offer limited levels of nursing care. Find out up front if the facility offers custodial or skilled care. Some may offer both. Also be aware of the type care that you or your family member may require. Once that has been determined by the physician, make sure that a bed of that type – skilled or custodial – is currently available. It may be necessary to be on a waiting list to gain the type of bed needed. If a waiting list is in effect, ask for an estimate on how long it may be until a bed is available or how many potential residents are ahead of you on the list.