Choosing the right nursing home for a loved one is always challenging, even more so when the family member has a unique condition. If your loved one has a special condition with their physical or mental health, it’s essential to choose a nursing home where the staff is trained to help patients with their issue. To prevent nursing home abuse and neglect, family members need to know how to find a nursing home for seniors with special conditions.
Alzheimer’s disease can make it difficult for older adults to remain in their home environment. While it’s possible for early-stage Alzheimer’s patients to stay at home, it becomes increasingly more challenging as their condition worsens. When looking for a nursing home for a relative with Alzheimer’s, it’s a good idea to search for a facility that specializes in care for patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Some nursing homes have special Alzheimer’s disease care units. These units are often in separate sections of the building, which allows the facility to use staff members have specialized training to care for people with Alzheimer’s in that area.
When selecting a nursing home, the Alzheimer’s Association recommends, “When you visit a care facility, ask to see the latest survey/inspection report and Special Care Unit Disclosure form. Facilities are required to provide these. The report and the disclosure form can give you a picture of the facility’s services.”
Seniors may also require a nursing home with more extensive facilities if they have certain medical conditions. Skilled nursing facilities can provide services that a traditional nursing home may not have. Skilled nursing facilities have treatment programs that can help residents improve their health while ensuring they get the proper care in the meantime. For patients who are recovering from a stroke, the staff at an SNF can help them regain their motor skills. The staff is also trained to provide care for acute medical conditions by handling injuries, illness, and infection. And while not every SNF offers the service, some can provide Parkinson’s disease care.
At a skilled nursing facility, patients get round-the-clock medical and rehabilitative care that’s provided by professionally licensed staff. Modern skilled nursing facilities also offer private and semi-private rooms in a home-like environment.
If you need help selecting a nursing home for a loved one, download the Caregiver’s Guide from the Law Firm of Steve Watrel, P.A. This guide has useful information and helpful checklists that you can use when visiting a nursing home.
If you have a loved one with special conditions in a nursing home, and you think they aren’t getting the level of care they should, we can help. At the Law Firm of Steve Watrel, P.A., we are The Nursing Home Abuse Experts™. We know what to look for to establish when abuse has happened, as well as how to fight insurance companies and nursing homes that are trying to escape liability.
Send us a message online or call us at (800) 792-8735 to schedule an appointment for a consultation.
