Qualities to Look For in an Aged Care Facility

Finding a suitable aged care facility can be a difficult task as you only want the best for your loved one.

09:37 16 September 2020

They should be able to feel safe, taken care of, and surrounded by people they can befriend or at least enjoy their time with. This can be an overwhelming step for you and your loved one, yet in many cases, it may also be necessary. In order to make an informed decision about which aged care facility you should choose, there are some elements that you need to look for.

 

Read on below to discover some of those suitable qualities.

 

 

Quality Staff

 

The available staff must be able to take care of the elderly in the home. If you happen to get your hands on the staff turnover, then the higher the number, the more this indicates that the place may be difficult to work with. Also, check how and where the staff was trained. It is essential that they have the proper training to take care of all the patients and be able to communicate with them in a correct and friendly manner. If they are not able to create friendships with the residents of the home, then the standard of living may not be up to par.

 

Quality Standard of Living

 

Unfortunately, not all homes provide high-quality standards of living. Some provide websites and fake reviews that suggest otherwise, but in reality, it is a scam. Statistics show that around 1 in 10 Americans in homes are abused, which is an extremely high percentage. Chicago Family and Support Services state that elder abuse is not an uncommon issue as elders are taken advantage of due to their disabilities. In many cases, Chicago Nursing Home Negligence Attorneys must intervene given the lack of good staffing and high standards. Before you take your loved one to a home, consult with an attorney to see which of the available homes have had no issues in the past.

 

Ethical Management

 

It is essential that when you are choosing an elderly home that you talk to management and understand what they truly have to offer for the guests. Find out who owns the home and whether they truly come from a healthcare background or not. This makes a huge difference as someone who is running the home for business purposes only, may not run it as well as someone with some information or background knowledge in health care. Also, understand the cash flow and whether or not it all goes to the patients or only a fraction. Transparency is key, so if they offer all of this information then they are most likely trustworthy.

 

Sense of Community

 

As mentioned earlier, it is essential that there is a strong sense of community. This comes from everyone in the home, including management, staff, and other residents. Many residents of homes are able to make friends as they are given the freedom to talk and enjoy each other’s company. If the staff is friendly enough, then they themselves can befriend your loved one and truly make them feel as though they are at home. Without a sense of community, it becomes difficult to be comfortable enough to be able to relax.

 

Food and Activities

 

One of the important qualities a care home facility must have is good food and interesting activities. If the food is not edible or lacks variety, your loved one may have more difficulty living in them. Also, even if the staff are friendly, and there is transparent management and looks great on paper, the activities should also be checked out. It can all be great yet turn out to be boring, which would make any resident dislike living in the care facility. Be sure to know what sort of activities are available so that the sense of community can be stronger.

 

Before you choose one facility or another, go inside and talk to the staff and management of each location. Reviews may be one thing, but going inside and actually seeing the place is another. You can always ask around those who have family members in homes and create a pros and cons list of the more premium places. Some homes can be on the expensive side, so if you are opting for one of those, then be sure that they really do offer everything that they suggest either on their website or in person. It is crucial that your loved one does not feel abandoned and is surrounded by people who take care of them and befriend them.