Elder Care Planning Guide
Q. When do you need a care facility? A. A residential care
facility should be taken into account when at least one of the
following circumstances happens:
- Your elderly relative requires and demands twenty four hour of
continuous care and attention. - Your elderly relative can not
anymore cope up with the activities of day-to-day living such as
eating, bathing, using the toilet, changing etc. - Your elderly
relative is more likely to have either physical or verbal
violent out burst and is a threat to himself and to others. -
Your elderly relative has wandered off from the safety of home.
- The caregiver's physical condition and welfare is harmfully
affected.
Q. What out of home choices for the elderly are available? A. A
variety of choices are available, and it is an important
decision, so choose wisely.
1. Residential care facility.
For the elderly that is no longer able to live alone however
does not require skilled nursing attention and care. Assistance
is given in grooming, bathing and other daily activity as well
as care and supervision for temporary illness.
2. Assisted living facility.
Granting independence to the elderly who are moderately healthy
and active. An impaired spouse and a healthy spouse may live
together in an assisted living facility, where most include
apartment style of living with separate kitchens, twenty for
hour security, social and recreational programs.
3. Skilled nursing facility.
Also known as nursing homes, wherein patients are given
continuous nursing services and assistance from a licensed
vocational or registered nurse. Skilled nursing facility
provides extensive and broad services and help, such as
medication, injections and constant monitoring of blood pressure
as well as support for patients with ventilators. Compared to
residential care facility and assisted living facility, skilled
nursing facility provides the much needed medical care of
patients.
4. Others. There are special care centers that offer and give
special attention to certain medical conditions like dementia or
Alzheimer's disease. Psychiatric facilities are an option for
the elderly that displays violent behaviors.
Q. What qualifications should I look for in a primary care
physician? A. A primary care physician should be competent, well
trained and has concern for and about the elderly. Ask these
questions to guide you in choosing the right one for your
relative:
- Does the physician practice as part of a group or does he
practice on his own? - Does the physician accept patients with
Medicare? - Is the physician's clinic accessible from where you
live? - Are you comfortable with him? - Where does he treat his
patients? At which hospital? - Can he explain to you things
clearly? Can you easily understand his explanations? - Does he
readily listen to you and to his patient? - Does he show concern
when communicating with you? - What is his policy and guidelines
about following up patients with regards to patients that has
moved to a residential care center?
Q. What should I consider when choosing an elder care facility?
A. Carefully consider the following areas: services, facility,
staff, rooms, respect, and medical considerations
1. Services
- What are the care services that the facility provide? Do these
satisfy your needs? - What accommodation choices do they offer?
- What items from your home can you bring in the facility? What
items are not allowed? - Can you have your own car on the
grounds? - What are their policy regarding visitation? - Is it
licensed by the State? - Is there a balance of social and
recreational activities?
2. Facility:
- Is it well kept and sanitary? - Are the safety measures such
as fire exits should be clearly marked, hallways should be
well-lighted and bathrooms should have grip bars appropriately
set up? - Is it located in a convenient and safe location? -
Does it have a twenty four hour security?
3. Staff:
- Are they friendly, approachable and respectful? - How many are
assigned per shift? - What are the staff's credentials? - What
medical services (physician, physical therapist, nursing,
respiratory care, etc.) do they specialize in?
4. Rooms:
- Are the rooms bright and airy? Are they arranged in a cheerful
manner? - Does it permit privacy? - Does the room offer a view?
Does it have wide windows? - Is the dining room clean and
spacious, in such a way that one can move around easily? - Is
the kitchen clean, organized and sanitary?
5. Respect:
- Does the facility clearly state the rights and
responsibilities of patients? - Are the staff well trained, so
as they treat each elder with respect and dignity? - With
regards to the patient's care plan, do they encourage family
members to get involved?
6. Medical considerations:
- When emergency arises, is there always a physician available?
- Is the personal physician of the elder permitted to follow up
the patient or does the facility appoint a resident physician to
each elder? - In cases of emergency, does the facility have
arrangements with a hospital nearby? - Is there always
transportation that is available at all times?
Now you are prepared to plan out the elder care for yourself or
a relative! I hope you have found this article useful.