A Beginner’s Guide To Finding An Appropriate Caregiver Or Senior Care Home
Your aged parents or senior family members have spent most of their life caring for you. It only makes sense for you to repay the favor and shower them with the care and attention they deserve. However, if you are pressed for time, the best option is to place them in a senior care living facility or hire an in-home caregiver to offer around-the-clock assistance.
The caregivers will help your elderly loved ones with their daily living activities, prepare meals, administer medications, develop exercise programs, and so on. At the end of the day, you want to be assured that your family members are safe, happy, and well taken care of.
If this is your first time, the selection process can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you are unaware of the way a senior care home functions. To increase your understanding of the subject, the home care experts at Buckingham South have created a Beginner’s Guide to finding an appropriate caregiver or senior care home.
Getting Started
Recognize your loved one’s needs: The first step is to ascertain the medical, physical, and social needs of your loved one. Keep an eye out for changes in their behavior or assess their health conditions. Once you understand their situation, it is easier to find a caregiver that can tend to their specific requirements.
Carry out research: It’s not always necessary to hire a professional to help you locate an appropriate senior care facility. Sometimes, thorough research will equip you with the proper tools and give you an idea of the questions you can ask the caregivers.
Next Steps
Prepare questions: You should prepare a comprehensive set of questions to ask the caregivers of the facility. Here are a few questions you can consider asking them:
a. Does the facility monitor nutrition and hydration intake?
b. If one needs oxygen, can the facility administer it?
c. Do they monitor or administer medications?
d. Do they handle incontinence?
e. Do they encourage participation in activities?
f. Do they have an RN on staff?
Tour the facility: Once your questions are ready, it’s time to take a tour of the facility. Make sure you visit more than one facility so that you can make comparisons.
Ask questions: While you get shown around the insides of the building, don’t get misled by the external façade. Stay on track and make sure you meet staff members, and your questions get satisfactorily answered.
Speak to customers: Once you have visited and shortlisted a few homecare facilities, it’s important to get testimonials. People who have their family members staying at the residence will be able to give you a good account of what you can expect.
Advice From The Pros
If you have narrowed down on the facility that you think will best serve your loved one, and are about to put pen to paper, there are still a few critical factors to consider, before parting with your cash:
Facility management: Look into who owns the facility, and if there has been consistent management and operations in place. Be consistent while pursuing a quality healthcare facility.
Terms of contract: Place special attention to the terms of the lease. Find out the duration of the contract and what happens if your loved one is not happy with the service. Also, double-check if the care plans shift accordingly to accommodate the specialized needs of residents as they age.
Staff ratio: The staffing ratio is crucial to understand the level of care your loved one will get. There should also be a designated caregiver in the facility to communicate with you whenever you want to voice your concerns.
Consistency of care: You should find out if the same caregiver who you are familiar with will be there to take care of your loved one. A caregiver who plans on staying at the facility for a long time is more likely to build a stronger rapport with your elderly loved one. Ultimately, you want to find a caregiver who can focus on the needs of your family members and help them adjust to the environment of the facility.
If you’re looking for a senior assisted living, home care in Savannah, GA, reach out to Buckingham South. With over forty-five years of experience, we offer the highest level of senior assisted living and home health care services to our residents. Our dedicated staff and stimulating programs foster a sense of community while also ensuring residents maintain their independence. So, you can feel confident that your loved ones will be taken good care of by us!
Visit our website to learn more or contact Buckingham South today.