As the family of a senior, you want your loved ones to get the best care that they can. It is for this reason that you have committed some of your time to research about rehab facilities for seniors. If your loved one is ailing from Alzheimer’s, dementia, or any other medical condition, then you should consider facilities that provide specialized care.
According to data from the American Health Care Association, there are 15,655 skilled nursing care centers in the United States. Deciding on the right facility for your loved one can be a challenge. Here are the top 5 considerations for choosing a rehab facility for seniors to make sure that your loved one is under the best care.
1. Services Provided
Since you are looking for a skilled nursing care center that is suitable for taking care of the unique needs of your loved one, your top consideration should be the services provided. It this list that will look at which of the listed facilities provides the best and most comprehensive services.
You don’t have to leave your home to find out the services provided by the rehab facilities. You can do this by checking their websites. Check each of the skilled nursing facility on your list and make sure that they provide the health care management and monitoring that your loved one needs. In addition to this, make sure that they provide help with bathing, eating, dressing, and other daily living activities. Assisting with medication and providing medication reminder services are also crucial.
2. Location and Size
You can cut down on your candidates for review by only going for the facilities located nearby. All you have to do is ask yourself: which is the skilled nursing facility near me?
The importance of shortlisting only the facilities that are near you cannot be emphasized enough. Deciding on a skilled nursing center near you means that you and your family can easily visit. It will also provide the senior peace of mind knowing that they are closer to home.
You should also consider the size of your options. If the senior is an extrovert, they would likely prefer a facility with a lot of other seniors. On the other hand, if your loved one is an introvert, then it is likely that a smaller facility would suit them better. Keep in mind that size may also determine the number of staff members and the array of activities available.
3. Experienced and Qualifications of Staff
Most ailments that seniors suffer from require a keen eye to keep them under control. It is for this reason that you should consider the qualifications and experience of the staff at the rehab facilities. To be sure of this, you might have to visit the facilities and have a conversation with the staff. Check there is a registered and licensed nurse at each of the facilities that you are considering. Don’t be shy to ask questions and also observe the facility.
4. Choice and Independence
Despite moving to a skilled nursing center, your loved one may still want to retain some degree of freedom. Therefore, you should make sure that the rehab facilities in your shortlist allow for independence and choice. Choices and independence should be maintained from meals to recreational activities to make the stay of the senior is enjoyable. You would also want to have freedom, wouldn’t you?
5. Red Flags
Yes, red flags should be a consideration if you are looking to get the best-skilled nursing facility for your loved one. Among the red flags that you should be looking for is poor violation history. You want to avoid all rehab facilities that have been listed with violations previously. You should also inspect the facilities for evidence of poor maintenance, dirt and grime, or seniors who look ill-kempt. Be sure to talk to friends and relatives to assess whether they have positive associations with a given facility and look for reviews online, as well.
You’ll want to choose a rehab facility that meets all of the criteria mentioned above. If there is a tie, the cost of each can be the tie-breaker. Keep in mind that in situations like this, your gut is usually right – so trust it.
