By DR. JILES TAYLOR-GEORGE
Choosing a Long-Term Care Facility
Placing a family member in a care facility for a temporary or permanent stay can be a challenging experience.
When the level of care for a loved one changes, a care facility may be the solution, ensuring that they receive 24-hour supervision and skilled nursing care. The need may arise when there are no family caregivers or they are no longer physically able to provide the required care.
Long-term care includes assisted living, nursing homes and skilled care facilities. Persons over 85 years of age are 50% of the facilities’ permanent residents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the last 10 years there has been an increase in younger residents due to disabilities, traumas, chronic neurological disorders and psychiatric illnesses.
A care facility may be used for a short-term stay such as rehabilitating from an injury, surgery or illness or it may become an extended stay. Stays may last from a few days to weeks based on the person’s progress. The facility provides continuous care including personal care; medication coverage; physical, occupational and speech therapy; activities as tolerated and socialization.
Prior to placement, arrange for an interview and tour of the facility. While on tour, observe patients, staff/patient interactions and the safety of the facility. Ask questions:
• Does it provide care for a specific disease type (stroke, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, psychiatric illnesses) or a variety of illnesses?
• Is it licensed by the state?
• What were the results of the last facility surveys (inspections)?
• What type of health insurance and payments does it accept?
• What is the nurse-to-patient ratio?
• Is there a registered professional nurse present at all times?
• Are there other medical services (dentists, podiatrists and optometrists) available on site?
• When and how is the family contacted if there is a change in the person’s condition?
• Do they have interpreters for patients that don’t speak English?
• What types of foods are served?
• Are the residents dressed daily and taken out of their rooms for meals and activities?
• What are the visiting hours?
• Speak with a family that has used the facility.
It is important to make regular and unexpected visits to your loved one. If visiting is not allowed, arrange for communication by social media that allows you to see and observe them.
Families will ponder if placement was what their loved one wanted. Advance care planning will allow your loved one to state their wishes. Listening to your loved ones will provide insight. You may hear statements like, “I never want to go to a nursing home.” Talk about what that means to them and reassure them that you will try to fulfill their wishes.
The goal is to find a facility that meets your loved ones’ specific needs. If the experience is good for your loved ones, it will be healthy for you and your family.
Rev. Jiles Taylor-George, RN, BSN, MSN, is a native of Tallahatchie County and a certified caregiver support group facilitator.
