Special Needs of the Elderly
When choosing a nursing home, make sure that it is geared towards any special needs of your loved one. For example, if your elderly relative has Alzheimer’s disease, you should consider whether the staff has extensive experience and training in the care of patients with this illness. Alzheimer’s patients often exhibit memory loss and signs of agitation such as sleep disturbances, irritability, restlessness, and anxiety. Dealing with these symptoms requires patience and understanding as well as medical and psychological knowledge (Caregiving Challenges, Alzheimer’s Association). Physical aspects of the facility should not be overlooked. Perhaps the facility has a secure interior patio or garden that allows an Alzheimer’s patient to go outdoors without any danger of wandering. Good night lighting and gates with safety locks can also be useful.
The Medicare web site has an excellent Nursing Home Checklist that helps you choose a facility that is tailored to the needs of your elderly loved one. It covers questions to ask about quality of life, physical layout of the nursing home, standard of care, nutrition, safety, and more. We recommend that you bring the checklist with you when visiting a nursing home. It can help you keep track of large amounts of information and compare one nursing home with another.
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