Tuesday, 25 February 2014

Questions When Choosing Eldercare

By Kristana Jenson


At a certain point in our adult lives, many of us need a little bit of help managing a variety of day-to-day tasks. For some people, this is simply a matter of needing extra help with cooking and cleaning. For others, it is necessary to have someone assist them with daily grooming and bathing chores. Some people also are dealing with memory loss and dementia and while in excellent health otherwise, need help remember to take medicines, eat healthy daily meals or simply need to in a safe and secure setting.

Some seniors or their loved ones begin looking at different eldercare choices when there are issues with daily care. This includes looking at anything from having in-home care to finding an assisted living home or a skilled nursing facility depending on the level of care that is needed. Choosing a facility or caregiver is not an easy process and it's important that you ask eldercare professionals some important questions prior to making your final decision.

The most important first questions to ask are about experience. How long has the facility been open? How long has the management company been providing eldercare? How long as the in-home caregiver been on the job? What types of clients has he or she had in the past and what services were provided? In addition ask about the training given to each staff member and the staff turnaround rate. Look for a facility or caregiver with background checks and drug testing. Don't feel uncomfortable asking the tough questions, after all it's your life and you need to feel and be safe and secure. Contact the local board of health and inquire about any recent and serious violations. Ask the facility director how medical issues are handled both during the day and at night. Ask about how many people are on staff around the clock.

Before you start visiting facilities or interviewing in-home professionals, you need to figure out a comfortable budget. Then ask about what is included in the monthly rates. Some facilities include weekly housekeeping and all the meals, while others also include help with managing your daily medications and provide laundry services. Some places provide help with bathing and grooming, and be sure to ask how often these services are provided. Ask about all the amenities that are included in the rates as well as any amenities that are available as an extra expense. Some facilities have pools, exercise rooms, free shuttle service, social activities and much more.

It is also wise to ask friends and trusted professionals, such as a doctor, about suitable facilities or caregivers. Using a placement service can also be a big help in finding a suitable list of pre-screened options. Care Placement is one such service that will compile a list of your needs and your budget and find options in your area that are suitable. They can locate in-home caregivers, skilled nursing facilities, board & care homes and assisted living communities for you to visit or interview.

In the end, sometimes the choice you make is based upon your actual impressions of the in-home helper or the assisted living home. If the in-home person seems friendly and enthusiastic, that's a good sign. If the assisted living home is clean and attractive and residents seem happy and staff is friendly, that is also a good sign. Take a tour, grab lunch in the dining room and talk to staff members and residents during your tour. If your interviewing an in-home caregiver, ask them why they got into the eldercare field and what they like best about being a caregiver.




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