The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Long Term Care Home

Did you know that there are approximately 65,000 long term care facilities in the US? As you might expect, this means that it can be notably difficult to choose the right long term care home.

Although finding the right group home community can seem overwhelming at first, it’s much simpler than you might think. Let’s take a look at everything you need to consider when choosing a care facility.

How Much Does It Cost?

As you might guess, your budget is one of the first things you’ll need to consider when looking for a facility.

The cost of long term care homes can vary quite a bit, so it’s important to have an idea of how much you’re willing to spend. Once you’ve done some research and have a general idea of the average cost in your area, you can start narrowing down your options. Keep in mind, though, that you often get what you pay for.

Although this isn’t to say the most expensive facility will provide the best level of care, cheaper facilities often do not. If your budget is on the lower end of what’s available, be extra careful when researching other criteria about the facility.

What Are the Staff Like?

Another important factor to consider is the staff. After all, they’ll be the ones taking care of your loved one on a day-to-day basis. When you’re touring potential homes, be sure to ask about the staff-to-patient ratio.

This will give you a good idea of how much attention each patient will receive. You should also take some time to meet with the staff members themselves. This will give you a better sense of their personalities and whether or not they seem like they would be good caregivers.

What Is the Facility’s Reputation?

Once you’ve narrowed down your options to a few potential homes, it’s time to start doing some digging. Talk to people in your community who have had experience with the facilities you’re considering.

If you have any friends or family members who have had to make a similar decision, they can be a great resource. You can also look for online reviews. This can be a great way to get an idea of what other people’s experiences have been like.

What Are the Living Conditions Like?

One of the most important things you’ll need to consider is the living conditions.

After all, this is where your loved one will be spending a significant amount of time. Be sure to take a tour of the facility and pay attention to the cleanliness and overall condition of the home.

You should also ask about things like bedding, meals, and common areas. This will give you a good idea of what your loved one’s day-to-day life would be like.

If all seems well, you can continue researching other attributes.

What Type of Care Is Offered?

When you’re considering long term care options, it’s important to think about the type of care your loved one will need.

For example, if they have a chronic illness, you’ll want to make sure that the facility you choose is equipped to handle their needs. You should also inquire about things like physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other services that might be necessary. This is a factor you should never overlook.

Without the right level of care, your loved one could run into quality-of-life issues. Over time, this may adversely affect their mental health. You can check out this resource to learn more about a reputable long term care facility.

Do You Feel Comfortable Communicating With Representatives of the Facility?

It’s crucial that you consider whether or not you feel comfortable communicating with representatives of the facility. This is important because you’ll need to be able to ask questions and voice concerns.

If you don’t feel like you can do this, it’s likely that the facility isn’t a good fit for your loved one. Scenarios in which this may arise include representatives not being transparent about policies.

It could also involve them dancing around certain questions that you have about the facility.

What Should I Do if I Feel as Though My Loved One’s Rights Have Been Infringed Upon?

Unfortunately, there are times when the rights of long term care patients are infringed upon. If you believe that this has happened to your loved one, it’s important to take action.

The first step is to file a complaint with the facility. If they don’t take action, you can contact the state licensing board. You can also get in touch with an attorney who specializes in long term care law.

How Do I Know When It’s Time to Look For a Facility?

If your loved one is starting to need more care than you can provide at home, it might be time to start looking for a facility. This is often a difficult decision to make, but it’s important to remember that your loved one’s health and well-being should always be your top priority.

Keep this in mind when moving forward.

Finding the Right Long Term Care Home Doesn’t Have to Be Difficult

Making the decision to place a loved one in a long term care home can be difficult. However, if you take the time to consider all of the factors we’ve discussed, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect home for them.

Looking for other useful articles like this one? Feel free to check out the rest of our blog.