If your mother, father, or someone you love has Alzheimer's disease, I know how difficult and emotional it is to care for them. As their memory fades day by day, and they become unable to do things on their own, they need 24-hour care. At times like these, you may be thinking about a nursing home. It's a difficult decision. But remember, you're making it out of love and for their safety. The most important thing is to be fully informed and make the best decision.
What kind of care is provided in a nursing home?
Simply put, places like this provide two main types of care.
1. Basic Care: This means helping with daily activities. For example, helping with bathing, dressing, eating, and walking.
2. Skilled Care: This is a little more advanced. It involves the services of professionals like Registered Nurses and Physical Therapists. They manage medical conditions, prescribe necessary medications, and provide medical care.
The following services can generally be expected from a nursing home:
- Accommodation and meals (a room and three meals a day)
- Helping to administer medication on time
- Assistance with personal activities such as dressing, bathing, and toileting
- 24-hour emergency care service
- Various activities for mental well-being and fun (Social and recreational activities)
How to find the best place?
It can take some time to find the right place for your loved one. Therefore, it is very important to start looking early, rather than waiting until you have an emergency. Because there may be waiting lists for admission to many good places. Planning ahead can make the transition much easier.
First, you and your family should discuss what services your loved one needs and how often they need them. Before you call places, make a list of what is important to you. Call places and ask if they have rooms available, what the admission requirements are, what level of care they provide, and what payment methods they offer.
Remember, you are not making this decision alone. It is very important to get everyone in the family involved and go through this journey together.
When choosing a nursing home, pay special attention to these factors:
Before you go to see a place, look at this list and go with your questions. That way, you won't forget anything.
Also check out the staff.
- Are the nurses and aides there experienced in caring for the elderly, especially those with conditions like Alzheimer's?
- Do they speak and behave with kindness and patience with the residents? Do they seem willing to work?
- Are there enough staff to help in case of an emergency?
- Are there people specially trained to help people with memory problems and confusion?
How are the residents and the environment?
- Do the other people there seem happy and relaxed? Are they clean and neatly dressed?
- What do other guests and residents say about the place? If possible, ask them.
- Are the rights of residents clearly displayed?
Building and facilities
- Does that place look happy and clean? Does it smell that way?
- Do the rooms feel like home? Or like a hospital?
- Can someone using a wheelchair move around easily? Are the doors and corridors not narrow?
- Are the rooms well lit?
- Is there an emergency response system in each room that alerts staff in the event of an emergency?
- Are the bathrooms private? Can a wheelchair be accommodated in them?
- Are you allowed to bring some items from your home, like a chair or a table?
Ask these things clearly about fees and payments
It is very important to understand these facts clearly. So let's look at them in a table.
| Question to ask | Why is this important? |
|---|---|
| Are the fees easy to understand? | You can find out if there are any hidden fees. |
| What services are included in the basic fee? What additional charges do I have to pay? | You can avoid unexpected bills. |
| In what cases can the contract be canceled? | Get a clear understanding of the terms of the contract. |
| What is the refund policy? | To know what will happen if you have to leave for some reason. |
Medicine and healthcare
- How are medications stored and administered to residents? Is there a clear procedure for that?
- If a resident can take medication on their own, is that allowed?
- How often does a doctor or nurse come to check on your health?
- What do they do if there is a medical emergency? Do they take you to the nearest hospital? Is there a plan for that? What is the procedure for taking you to an Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU)?
Food and social activities
- How many times a day do you serve food? Is the food tasty and clean?
- Do you provide meals prepared specifically for those with special dietary needs (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure)?
- Is there a place where everyone can eat together, or do we have to eat in the rooms?
- Are there programs to have fun and do something together? Are residents willing to participate?
When you visit a place, your gut feeling is very important. If you don't get a good feeling about that place, there's a reason for that.
This decision is not easy to make. But for the safety and well-being of your loved one, sometimes it is the best thing to do. Before you make a decision about this, be sure to talk to your family doctor and seek his advice. That will give you more confidence.
Take-Home Message
- Placing someone with Alzheimer's disease in a nursing home is not abandoning them. It is a difficult, but perhaps necessary, decision made with love for their safety and well-being.
- Take your time to find the best place. Don't wait until an emergency occurs, start looking in advance.
- Before choosing a place, be sure to visit it. Visit it two or three times if possible. Talk to the staff and other residents.
- Always discuss your loved one's medical condition and needs with the doctor who is taking care of them.
- Choose a place that is right for you. If you feel confident and comfortable in that place, it is more likely to be the right place.
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