How Spot Good Nursing Homes

By Tracie Knight


A nursing home is a facility for people with illness or disability, particularly for older patients. Nursing homes have skilled nurses and competent care givers who will be able to take care of our elderly better than we will be able to. We may feel guilty about leaving our loved ones under the care of strangers, but sometimes putting patients into these facilities will be beneficial to both the family and the patient.

Before even considering the services of a nursing home, you need to talk about it with your family first. You must have adequate and valid reasons to place a loved one under assisted living. Always remember that your patient is your responsibility and should not be dumped upon other [people just be cause you non longer want to care for them. If, however, the patient has been suffering from chronic illnesses then you may want to consider a home.

If your patient has been diagnosed with either psychosis or other mental illnesses, there are special wards for them in facilities. Even patients with severe memory problems such as Alzheimer can be given the best assistance through day to day activities here. Your patient will be cared for by competent staff who know how to handle these cases well.

Financial reasons also play a role. If the patient needs round the clock medical care, then a home will do quite nicely. You will be assured that your loved one will be well cared for in exchange for a smaller fee than if he were to stay in a hospital for extended periods.

Once you and your family have made the decision of putting your elderly in a home, the next step is to choose a facility that offers the best assistance for your loved one. There are a lot of nursing homes all over the country, each boasting about the services they can offer. The real task is to find which ones are really dedicated.

Location. Look at the state of the building. Check if the structure is architecturally sound and has emergency exits. See to it that it is well kept and has a homey ambiance. Check the rooms and living quarters if they indeed provide comfort and relaxation.

Visit the building to see its condition. A good home should not reek of urine nor smell too much of air fresheners. It should have a homey feeling so that the elderly will be able to adjust easily. The best time to visit is during mealtimes, where you will see firsthand what they usually serve their wards, and during the weekend when there are no managers present. This way you will get the real picture, not the advertised one.

Take the time to talk with residents. Take note of their disposition. Abundant smiles from patients are usually a good sign. Ask the staff members how long they have been working in the community. Longer years of service rendered usually means that the management is doing their job well.

It is never easy to part with family. Though convalescent homes present a negative idea to people, sometimes there is no other option. The best you can do is to find the perfect facility to ensure that your loved one gets the best care possible.




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