| You know what’s best for your loved one. But, how do you know what to look for when choosing skilled nursing care? Here, Stephen Samuelian answers questions and offers advice to adult children seeking new living arrangements for their former caregivers.
Oceans 2003: We are so pleased to have you with us today. Stephen Samuelian: I’m happy to be here. |
Oceans 2003: We understand that you have quite a bit of experience in the construction and development of nursing care facilities. We would like to talk about finding the right place for an aging senior.
Stephen Samuelian: This is one of the most important decisions that anyone will make for a parent; one that is often overlooked until it’s time to make a choice.
Oceans 2003: That’s exactly right…
Stephen Samuelian: Let me start by saying that the Internet has made researching such things much easier than it was just a few decades ago.
Oceans 2003: How is that?
Stephen Samuelian: For starters, potential residents and their families – can find an ideal location from the comfort of their own home. Location is a huge factor in this decision.
Oceans 2003: It certainly is. Most seniors would prefer to be in close proximity to their loved ones.
Stephen Samuelian: Community amenities are also important. A nursing care center that’s located in an area where there’s easy access to shopping and social activities is usually favored over somewhere out-of-the-way or isolated.
Oceans 2003: The Internet is also handy for reviews from current or former residents, correct?
Stephen Samuelian: Absolutely! We’re living in a very fortunate time in that we have access to information at our fingertips.
Oceans 2003: Are health and safety standards for these facilities found online?
Stephen Samuelian: Yes, they are. Each state will have different guidelines along with a report of how the target location fared during their inspections.
Oceans 2003: Should a violation rule out a facility?
Stephen Samuelian: Not necessarily but a number of them should definitely send up red flags.
Oceans 2003: What comes after online research?
Stephen Samuelian: You should schedule a visit to a facility that interests you.
Oceans 2003: What should I be looking for, while on site?
Stephen Samuelian: Be on the lookout for obvious safety hazards such as unattended spills, frayed carpet, or residents with special needs being left alone.
Oceans 2003: Staffing levels are major consideration as well, correct?
Stephen Samuelian: Adequate staffing is absolutely critical to creating a safe, comfortable, and healthy environment for senior adults. There must be an appropriate staff-to-resident ratio to ensure that all residents receive the care they need.
Oceans 2003: Are there indications of a poor facility that may not be immediately apparent?
Stephen Samuelian: Yes, there are. Ask management about their staff turnover ratio. If they can’t – or won’t – give you a straight answer they may not be treating their employees very well.
Oceans 2003: How does this impact resident care?
Stephen Samuelian: It’s pretty simple, happy employees will do more to ensure job security. They will be a better mental state to care for those with whom they’ve been charged. This is also important to ensure that your loved one receives consistent care from someone who gets to know them and isn’t subjected to a constant flow of new faces.
Oceans 2003: This is all great information and I’m sorry we don’t have time to pick your brain more.
Stephen Samuelian: Please feel free to call me anytime. This is an important issue that definitely should not be overlooked.