Helping Those Who Care for Parkinson's Patients
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Hi, Everyone. It looks like we're going to need to transition Mom into a nursing home. She's been at her retirement residence for about 2 weeks, with hospice coming, but she needs a different level of care. The retirement residence isn't quite able to help her out long term. My brother and I are touring a nursing facility tomorrow. Does anyone have any tips on things I should look for or be aware of? I haven't been to many nursing homes, so I'm not quite sure what to expect. The one we are visiting is fairly closeby to my brother's home (and not too far from my home either), and I know that they do accept Medicaid folks. My Mom will be private pay for about 6 months or so, but then I'll need to apply for Medicaid for her. Anyway, does anyone have some suggestions about questions I might ask or what do look for that might be good or bad signs about the facility and/or staff? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! -- Kristine |
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Go more than once and at different times of the day. Go unannounced and see how many people are waiting with call lights lit. Chit-chat a little with those in the hallways and common areas -- are they relatively happy (who can be happy?!) with the service they get, is the food tolerable, etc.? There's a web site through medicare that will allow you to see ratings, inspection reports etc. I don't have it handy though someone else might. I'd love to find one that allowed self medication but I doubt that is possible. Check out the activities too and make sure they'll move her to them if needed and able -- they left my mom sitting in her room even after she'd ask to attend and never come get her when she was in rehab. Wasn't mobile enough to go on her own but was tethered to the bed by an alarm if she moved away from it without help because of the surgery. Make sure if she's going in private pay, she'll have the same room status (private versus 1 or 2 or more roommates) and in the same location after she's MC/Medicad. Remember even if she's on a list and her name comes up, you can postpone and move her. And visit more than one place! |
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Take a close look at the staff. Do they look grumpy? Are they busy or are they standing around? I visited two nursing homes that were diametrically opposite. One had grim-faced staff. They stood in a conrer chatting while an old lady was abandoned in a wheelchair in the middle of the hall. Nobody paid her the slightest attention. Also check the food and cleanliness. The first one had foodstains all over the table cloth and the whole place smelled funny. The second was such a revelation. The staff were happily scurrying around and every other minute, someone came up to us to ask if they could help. There was an icecream counter, my husband's favorite. The place looked more like an upscale hotel than a nursing home. Guests of the patients were in the dining room, eating gustily. Do you see what I mean? |
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Make sure they take Medicaid. Some homes have set limits to the # of patients they will take on Medicaid and some will not take Medicaid. If you do some googling, you can find checklists out there of questions you can ask and things to look for. Work with your retirement residence. Sometimes they are financially connected to nursing homes and can offer support for a transfer. Also, does your retirement residence have a social worker that can offer direction? Most of the places ie - hospitals, etc have people that can help you with this placement process. I am not sure if this is the case with retirement homes, but I am guessing that this is not the first resident of theirs who has to be transferred into nursing care. It is worth asking. Best wishes, -Jenny -Jenny |
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Thanks everyone for all the advice. My brother and I did some research on nursing homes in the area, as well as visited some and got the input from our hospice nurse and social worker. We moved Mom into one that is pretty close to where my brother lives, and I think it'll work out pretty well. I talked to Mom's hospice nurse, and she said that Mom was pretty pleased with the environment and how well they were helping her out. So, fingers crossed and thanks so much for all the help! -Kristine |