By Kerry Knight
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| Photo credit: seniorliving.net |
Don’t get me wrong. Nursing homes are needed, especially when
some are beyond the care that other providers can give. For those who need care 24-hours day in and
day out, a nursing home may be their only solution. But if you’re looking at a nursing home for a
loved one, there are ways to locate the very best ones.
Nursing homes are regulated by
both public and private agencies on a state and federal level. Still, sadly,
A
resident walking “off campus” can be a danger to themselves and an embarrassment
to the home. However, having a number of smaller violation that add up month-
after-month is even worse. It shows a
lack of regard for consistent good management and tenent care.
there are some bad players out there.Look Out for Homes With High Staff Turnover
When you find a staff where
several have been there 15 or 20 years,
you probably have a good
There needs to be positive and consistent interaction between staff and
residents. Staff members who make an effort to call residents by their first
names are a good sign. Staff members who
ignore residents or walk away when a request is made shows that their heart is
not in their work. This most often leads
to poor morale and residents who are prone to depression.
environment.Facilities With Unnecessary Restritctions
One good example of this is when
a home refuses to allow residents to hang personal pictures or artwork on their walls. The connection with happy memories is very important to
residents.meaningful
Many draw on these memorable
moments with family and friends when looking at pictures that were taken many
years ago. This helps keep their spirit
up. How Well-kept is the Facility? Are there objectionable smells in the building? There is no excuse for this one. Some nursing homes have a multiple floors, and they may keep many of their problems on those floors so that guests will never see nor smell them.
Consider How the Staff Dresses
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| Photo credit: losalamitosinhomecare.com |
Are they clean and neat? Do they look professional? Again, this says something about the entire
organization. Is it being run properly?
Avoid the Need for a 24/7 Facility
Now the above points might help you in choosing a better nursing home, but what about ways to avoid going to a home?
First, as I stated from the opening
paragraph, I don’t want to ever live in one. However, going to a nursing home
may be unavoidable for some. If care is
needed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, it may be the only solution. But let me offer a suggestion about one way
to completely avoid the nursing home.
I think most would agree that one
of the major reasons seniors must go to a nursing home is their history of
falling. Some falls are
unavoidable. However, if a senior has a
pattern of falling, there are somethings that can help. Obviously, using a walker, grab bars, and/or
possible removing obstructions in the house are good ideas. Checking for side effects with prescription
drugs is another.
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| Photo credit: tubking.com |
The Walk-in Tub could keep a
loved one out of the nursing home. It
provides a safe and easy entry inot and exit out of the bathtub. Most thresholds are just six inches, compared
to 12 inches in most traditional bathtubs.
Also, there is plenty to hold onto while getting in and out of the
tub. The tub itself stands about 40
inches high and is sturdily constructed.
And for those who can’t stand, the tub offers a non-slip seat, so
seniors can sit down and bathe in comfort and safety. Its built-in, hand-held shower sprayer allows one to
rinse off and wash the hair, all without standing. There is also an interior grab bar to make
getting up a lot easier. The seat and
floor are slip-resistant, and the door
on the tub is water tight, so you can fill the tub and relax in nice, warm
water, while not fearing of falling.
Walk-in Tubs can be a way to
delay or even avoid the nursing home if used soon enough. It allows for independent bathing, without
the dread of falling. It also provides a feeling of independence and privacy so
many seniors want to keep.
In this article, I provided a
number of ways to evaluate nursing homes so that if a loved one has to live
there, you can choose the best one. Falls are the number one reason seniors end
up needing 24-hour care. This article also provides ways of not needing to make
this decision for a senior loved one by using a Walk-in tub to help them be
safer, remain more independent, and retain their privacy and dignity with its
use.
If you found this article useful,
please share it with your friends and co-workers. If you have a comment related
to this article, leave it in the comment section of this blog.
If you’d like to receive a FREE
Walk-In Tub Buyers’ Guide, click here. Have a question?
Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this
article and I’ll personally get back to you. It’s been my pleasure sharing this
information with you.
Thanks again for visiting with
us.
About the Walk-in Tub Buyer's Guide
Alan and Kerry Knight are the
owners of Tub King, Inc., andSeniorBathtub.com in Jacksonville,
Florida. Together they have many years of experience in the antique and
senior bathtub industries. Their companies not only provide superior products,
they are also award winners, receiving the “Best of Jacksonville Chamber Award”
three years running. If you’d like to contact them, call (800) 409-3375 or
(800) 843-4231; or send an email to alan@tubking.com.
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