Page 3 - TR Senior Expo May 2016

By Sarah DeClerk
SPECIAL SECTIONS WRITER
Finding quality care for a senior fami- ly member can be an important decision for many families. Because each family is unique, the care that suits families best may vary as well. The following tips can help families find an establishment that is right for them.
Consider your needs
Different facility options are available, depending on the amount of care a senior needs. “You’re definitely going to want to take a look at what exactly the resident needs,” said Jenni Moody, admissions di- rector at Beebe Retirement Center.
Seniors who require 24-hour care should stay at a long-term-care facility, while seniors who can handle most day- to-day activities but need assistance pre- paring meals or administering medication may benefit from an assisted-living facil- ity, she said.
Independent-living facilities are a good option for seniors who do not require much assistant. Although such facilities offer housing, amenities and activities, they may not provide medical care or a nursing staff.
Rehabilitation facilities are meant for seniors who need short-term care, perhaps because they are recovering from an illness or injury. Patients usually return home after their stay at these establishments.
Survey the amenities
Many care facilities offer a variety of services to seniors. Families should deter- mine whether an institution will provide for their loved ones’ needs, which may include rehabilitation services, restorative programs and memory-care units, Moody said.
Families should also check out activi- ties offered by prospective care facilities. “You want to make sure your loved one has plenty of things to do so that they’re not cooped up in their room and become depressed,” said Amanda Sackett, a regis- tered nurse at The Crossing at Riverside Health and Rehabilitation in Searcy.
The meals offered at the facility are an- other consideration, she added. If a senior has specific dietary requirements, families may want to make sure a prospective care facility can accommodate the resident, and seniors may feel better if they have a variety of foods to enjoy.
Look at the location
For many families, a care center’s lo- cation may determine how often they are able to visit their loved ones.
“I think the important thing is how close the family member is to the fami- ly,” Sackett said. “A lot of folks like to be there close to their loved one, so choosing a facility that is quite a ways away doesn’t really work for a lot of folks because they may not get to see their loved one as much as they could.”
Families should also check the facil- ity’s visitation times to make sure their schedules will allow them to visit their loved ones. “You want to look at a family’s availability for visitation,” Moody said.
Read the ratings
Families can find a wealth of informa- tion about prospective care facilities by looking at their ratings, Moody said. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services use a five-star system to rate nursing fa- cilities that participate in their programs. The ratings take into account factors such as health inspections, staffing and quality of care.
Ask questions
Asking questions may allow families to determine whether a facility is right for them. In addition to questions about a facility’s nurse-to-patient ratio, amenities, activities and visitation times, families may ask to see the establishment’s long- term care survey, which will reflect the facility’s quality of care, Moody said.
Families should also ask the adminis- tration how they handle grievances, in order to ensure that the staff is proactive in handling problems, she said.
Other important questions could deal with insurance and cost, Sackett said. “Al- so, ask, ‘What happens to my loved one
Choosing the right senior care is an important decision for many families, and they can find the best care facility for them by considering their loved ones’ needs, asking questions, looking at ratings and visiting the facility.
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Golden years
Tips for families seeking senior care
should they go on hospice or should they go to the hospital? Do they get to keep their bed, or am I going to have to look for new placement?’” she said.
Be open to other options
Even if a family already has a care fa- cility in mind, it is important to explore various options, Moody said. “Don’t just say, ‘I live in this ZIP code, so I’m going to choose a facility that’s in this ZIP code,’” she said. “Look around. That’s the best way you’re going to be able to gauge the facility you’re wanting to look at.”
Take a tour
It is also imperative that families visit prospective care centers in person, which will help determine whether it is an ideal place for a loved one to call home.
“I think if anybody’s looking to put a family member in long-term care that they should go and tour the facility and make sure that they feel comfortable with put- ting their loved ones at that facility, and if they feel comfortable themselves being there,” Sackett said, “because you want to see what type of care they’re going to receive, and you definitely want them to feel at home during their last years and be as happy as possible.”
In addition to researching care facilities and asking questions by phone, it is important that families visit a prospective care facility so they can be sure it is a good fit for their loved one.