While the choice to seek out nursing home care is a difficult one, it is often in the best interest of you or a loved one. However, you must select a facility that has the residents’ best interests in mind. This entails creating a warm, welcoming environment, providing nutritious food and drink, and being available to assist with medical issues.
There are lots of nursing home red flags to watch out for, as these signs indicate that a facility’s care is lacking. Here are a few things to look for when in search of a home.
Unfriendly, unhelpful staff
Staff are at the heart of a pleasant nursing home experience. When staff are poorly supported by management, they can appear short or rude when fielding questions. They can also find it difficult to see to each resident’s needs as they arise, which leads to a neglectful environment. Taking a tour of a facility can tell you a lot about the staff, so do interact with them as much as possible to get a feel for their demeanor.
Residents appear unhappy and disheveled
Nursing home residents often require help with personal care, such as bathing and grooming. Not only does this help the person feel good about themselves, it also prevents illness caused by a lack of cleanliness. Poor care can also affect a person mentally, which causes residents to appear unhappy or depressed while staying in the facility.
Mess and clutter litters the facility
Many older adults experience mobility issues that require the use of assistive devices, such as canes and walkers. When a facility is overly cluttered with belongings, it makes for a dangerous environment for seniors. Falls are a major cause of serious injuries for the elderly, and nursing homes must take every precaution to prevent falls from occurring.
Because it is such a major decision, you must do ample research before selecting a facility. Along with visiting the home, look it up on online to see if there are any complaints. You can also look at review sites to see what others have to say about its overall quality.