As family members get older, it may become more evident that they can no longer care for themselves – and you may often find yourself worrying about your elderly loved ones.
While not immediately, there may eventually come a time that professional care is the best choice for an older family member. You might hire a carer who comes to their home and helps them with daily chores, but on the other hand, if they deteriorate to a point where they need constant supervision, a residential care home might be the better option.
When it’s time to help your older loved one choose a residential home, it can all become too overwhelming – after all, there are so many things to consider. However, to make it a little bit easier and help you choose the right home for your loved one, consider the following points.
What Level of Care is Needed?
If you have a loved one who is very capable but has occasional bad days, you should look for a home that emphasizes residents’ independence while offering care. The residential homes like the senior living St Louis has are a great example of this – such establishments provide a level of care that independent elders want whilst still being on hand to take on a higher level of care should residents need it.
However, if your loved one has a serious illness or condition, you might prefer more constant, all-around care. These kinds of residential care homes are more in-depth, and professional staff is available on-site to ensure all residents are safe, healthy, happy, and cared for round the clock.
The level of care required is all dependent on the senior, their health, mobility, needs, and their personal preferences. You should discuss with your elderly loved one how much care they believe they need, and also discuss this with their doctor to figure out how much care they need and the level of independence they can maintain.
Read Reviews
When you check out residential homes’ websites, it’s normal that they will only have good things to say about themselves. While a website is a great starting point, you should always read reviews from real residents, their family members, and visitors. That way, you will see all the positive things about the facility, as well as any negative factors and experiences.
Usually, people who have stayed at or visited their family members in a care home aren’t anxious to put a bad and honest review out – and that’s a good thing for potential future residents looking for a facility to call home; it’ll help people choose the right care home for based on transparent reviews and real experiences.
Visit the Care Homes
If you have a shortlist of residential homes you are considering, the best way to find out which is the right one is by paying a visit. When you visit, you can check out the facilities and meet all the staff and other residents already living there – this way, you will get a real feel for the place and learn what it is like on a first-hand basis, not just online.
Plus, if you think you have found the right residential home and are still unsure, many homes offer a trial stay. This way, your loved one can stay there for a night or two to see if they like it or not, which is an excellent way to gauge if the home in question is indeed the ideal choice.
