How To Choose A Senior Home For Your Aging Parent
Although you would love it if you could have your elderly mother and father live with you, there are reasons why it just isn’t practical. Maybe mom and dad need more attention than you can give them, and you know it is only a matter of time before they will need around the clock care. Then again, maybe your parent wants to live as independently as possible. For whatever reason, a senior home is your best option, but how do you choose the right one for them? That’s a tough one! Here are a few suggestions you might find useful.
Although you would love it if you could have your elderly mother and father live with you, there are reasons why it just isn’t practical.
Perhaps your family is too loud and energetic or maybe you are rarely home because of your job. Maybe mom and dad need more attention than you can give them, and you know it is only a matter of time before they will need around the clock care. Then again, maybe your parent wants to live as independently as possible.
For whatever reason, a senior home is your best option, but how do you choose the right one for them? That’s a tough one! Here are a few suggestions you might find useful.
Visit the Homes You Are Considering
One thing you can do that might ease your mind a bit is to make several visits to the homes you are considering. After you’ve checked those in the area where your parent would like to live, take the time to visit at least a few times before bringing mom or dad to see the residence.
What kind of feeling do you get there? Does it seem like a homely atmosphere? Can you watch some of the residents in common areas? Get a good look at how you feel they are interacting with staff and each other.
You can always sense if they are content and that’s something that’s worth its weight in gold. Will your mom be happy there? What about dad? If you feel they would get along well with other residents and the atmosphere is peaceful and happy, then you might have found the perfect senior home for your aging mom or dad.
What Kind of Services Do They Offer?
Here is one of the most important things you can do. It is imperative to find out exactly what kind of services they offer because there are various levels of care your aging parent may need over time.
They may be ready for independent living now but what happens if they progress to a need for assisted living? What would happen if they needed memory care at some point in the future?
These are all questions you need to ask along with such things as their visitation policy and what kinds of activities they offer. Take the time to know what services and amenities are available for your parent now and in the future.
Don’t Forget to Do a Bit of Research
While each nursing home or senior residence is licensed by the state in which they are located, Medicare conducts inspections regularly. Don’t be afraid to find how they did on their past few inspections and then look at customer reviews.
You will be able to tell a lot from both of those sources, so don’t be afraid to do a bit of background checking. You will want to know that your elderly parent is in good hands.
During your growing years your parent took every means possible to ensure you safety and wellbeing. Now it’s time to do just that for them. Once you are satisfied with your choices, take your parent along with you for their input.
Together you can decide on the very best placement for them now and in the future. You will know when you’ve found the place your parent can call home.