When it comes to choosing an aged care facility, you want your loved ones to feel right at home. We all want what’s best for our loved ones, after all. The thing is, it can be quite challenging to choose the right aged care home, and it’s an emotional process that we can sometimes be unprepared for. What are the things that you should look out for? How can you tell if a facility is a good or bad one? Thankfully, Homestyle Aged Care is here to help. We’ll guide you complete the whole process and give you an idea on how to choose the right aged care home for your loved ones.
Over the years, the aged care industry has seen some massive changes. Many aged care facilities have ditched the hospital mentality and are leaning toward more homely environments that allow them to focus on the individual needs of their aged residents. The first thing to consider is the needs of your loved ones and what they’re looking for in an aged care home.
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What does your loved one want, and what are their specific needs?
Moving to an aged care facility is a big adjustment, and you want your loved ones to feel happy and comfortable when they finally move in. It’s essential to ask them what they’re looking for in an aged care facility and what type of services they prefer. The next thing you will need to decide is the level of care your loved ones need.
For complex aged care needs:
● The facility should have a registered nurse on duty at all times.
● Make sure that the aged care home has access to professional health care services from dietitians, podiatrists, pathologists, and many more.
For simple aged care needs:
● A registered nurse should visit the facility every few days to check up on the aged residents. The care staff should have a list of how to best address the care needs of the aged residents.
● Ensure that the facility has particular areas where they can safely relax if your loved one is suffering from dementia.
What does the facility look like? What is the layout like inside?
The look and feel inside an aged care facility will tell you a lot about the quality of life you loved ones will be experiencing there. When visiting the home, make sure that the rooms are clean and tidy. The facility should provide a homely feeling to your loved ones the moment they step inside. Another thing to consider is the layout of the rooms. Do they offer shared rooms? Or do they have a private room? Shared rooms are great if your loved one likes to interact with other people and have conversations with them. This can provide them with enough stimulation to keep them happy and engaged inside the facility.
If your loved one is more of a private person, they will appreciate the privacy of a single room. It should still be close enough to other places, so they can interact with other residents if they so choose. If your loved one struggles to walk long distances, it’s best to choose a room that’s closer to the main areas of the home. The rooms should be located within proximity to other facilities like the dining area and recreational facility.
What’s their management like? How does their staff operate?
Perhaps the most crucial part of choosing the right aged care facility is making sure that they have the right staff to accommodate your loved one’s needs. They are the ones who will be interacting with your loved ones on a daily basis, and you want to be assured that they are in the hands of loving, compassionate, and understanding professionals. Don’t hesitate to ask the aged care home about the experience and qualifications of their staff. When visiting an aged care facility, take the time to observe how their team interacts with their aged residents. This will give you a good idea of how your loved one’s needs will be attended to once they move inside the facility.
The management should be approachable and attentive to any concerns you might have. Some common questions to ask are how they provide aged care to their residents. This can include:
● Dietary needs
● Lifestyle activities
● Emergency plans
If your loved ones have specific dietary needs (e.g., vegetarian, food allergies, lactose intolerant), make sure that the staff can accommodate their diet. Ask if your loved ones can request for a variety of meals to maintain their appetite. Also, make sure to ask about what kind of recreational and lifestyle activities they offer. This can help keep your loved ones engaged and stimulated while enjoying the company of other aged residents. Lastly, ask the management about their emergency plans. They should have a comprehensive plan in place should any unexpected situation arise. This is to ensure the safety and protection of your loved ones in case of an emergency.
Conclusion
Choosing the right aged care facility requires careful planning and consideration to ensure the best quality of life possible for your loved ones. This guide will help ensure that your loved ones are adequately cared for so they can live their senior lives to the fullest. Your attention to detail can make a huge difference, so make sure to go over all the features listed here when selecting an aged care home.
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