| My sister, who is in her 40s, had a stroke that left | | | | out, so you can write all the answers on the paper |
| her with aphasia and paralysis on one side of her | | | | as you are touring. |
| body, which left us finding a skilled nursing facility (or | | | | - Some places have skilled nursing care as well as |
| nursing home). It is an arduous task. With her aphasia | | | | residential care and they may be in different wings. |
| there was so much to consider and with her age, | | | | Long-term and short-term care patients are normally |
| there was even more. The harder part was she only | | | | on separate wings. |
| had Medicaid and she was in a state where none of | | | | Do a thorough inspection from cleanliness to how the |
| us were living, however, we were close enough to | | | | patients look, even the food. Sometimes you will be |
| keep a watchful eye. | | | | able to taste the food. (I had a resident tell me the |
| Being that stroke is the leading cause of serious, | | | | place was a dump and not to bring my sister there!) |
| long-term disabilities in the U.S., are higher for African | | | | - Outside of employee areas, if you cannot see a |
| Americans, 87% are ischemic, and the third leading | | | | room (except a patient's room for their privacy), that |
| cause of death, finding the best place for her was | | | | may be a problem. |
| imperative. Of all stroke victims, 25% are under the | | | | Sometimes you can talk to the residents and their |
| age of 65%. Well, she fit a few of these statistics | | | | families, but I would suggest doing that coming or |
| and she is still here. I was her primary power of | | | | going versus when the "tour guide" is standing there |
| attorney so that was a heavy responsibility to take | | | | watching and listening. |
| on. | | | | Always look for safety devices, grab rails and handles |
| When selecting a nursing home there are two items | | | | and items that are easy to reach from their bed. |
| that are key: preserving as much healthy mental | | | | Ask about staffing levels on nights and weekends |
| health as possible and the level of competency and | | | | and when the RNs or Nurse Supervisor are on duty |
| communication with administration, directors, social | | | | and how many doctors are assigned to the facility |
| worker, and medical staff. I want to share a bit of | | | | and when they visit. |
| what I did to make her (and our) transition as | | | | Ask for an activities schedule and ask to see that |
| successful as possible; and it did turn out successful. | | | | room. It is best when you see the room actually |
| Planning for her long-term care is not what I had plan | | | | being used AND it is full. Bingo is the favorite. |
| on doing but it had to be done and we did the best | | | | Make sure you ask about the process for reporting |
| we could. | | | | issues or complaints. |
| Make sure you or someone you trust goes with you | | | | When you are finishing, gather family members that |
| or for you to present an intelligent representation. | | | | are to give input in the decision and go over your |
| Not having money for private pay rooms should | | | | notes. Rate the places in order and there are some |
| never equate to stupid. The organized and more on | | | | "oh no, not this one" places that you may experience. |
| point you are, the better off your loved one will be. | | | | Have your top 3 and then your next 3. Never throw |
| Here are the basic steps to successful placement: | | | | your "oh no" places into the hat, they very well could |
| | | | be selected, especially when the only insurance is |
| 1. Make sure you have about 12 pocket folders, a | | | | Medicaid. |
| few packages of Post-Its, a few notebooks to | | | | Keep in mind location, distance, and accessibility for all |
| record all conversations, visitation, and progress, and | | | | who are important. |
| some paper clips and binder clips. You will need them | | | | Before submitting your choices to the social |
| for all the forms from all the places. All of this can be | | | | worker...pray and get some rest. |
| bought at the dollar store. | | | | After the selection, you then have to wait to be |
| 2. Organize your folders by facility/hospital and make | | | | "selected and approved" by the facility. I know that |
| sure you note the date you received, finished, and | | | | is frustrating. Once your loved one is placed, then |
| submitted the forms on your copy. | | | | there is your maintenance of your loved one while in |
| 3. Always make 2 copies of any forms you have to | | | | the facility. Make sure that when they are moved, |
| fill out and make sure that both copies are not kept | | | | you or someone you trust, pack up their clothes and |
| in the same house for safety sake. | | | | leave them with only what they need transport and |
| First, let the social worker give you a list to begin | | | | know when they leave one place and arrive at |
| with and call each place to schedule a tour. | | | | another. This is a whole other article in itself. |
| Look at for comparing nursing homes for ratings and | | | | My sister is located at a place that ended up being |
| deficiencies. | | | | one of our first choices but I will say that with |
| List all your questions from personal hygienic care to | | | | Medicaid only, it can be a long and frustrating road. |
| therapy to visiting hours and, if you can print them | | | | Persevere and you will be fine. |