Choosing a Florida Nursing Home for Elders with Dementia
March 7, 2016Florida Nursing Home
Americans are living longer and healthier lives than at any time before. Many older people only need a little help with certain daily activities around their homes. Others, however, need more extensive, ongoing care; the kind of care that is only found in a residential facility such as a Florida nursing home.
Elders who suffer from Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other conditions that cause memory loss often need a special kind of care. For those with severe mental limitations, it is important to find an institution that can provide the attention and care that meets the individual’s specific needs. For those who need little actual nursing care, the task is to find a facility that offers physical, mental and social stimulation, not just room and board.
So whether you are looking for help for a loved one who needs care now or down the road, here are several factors to evaluate when choosing a nursing home for elders with memory loss or dementia:
- Space to move around: Look for a facility that has ample space and allows their resident to freely move around while keeping them safe.
- Support programs: Some facilities are devoted specifically to those who are suffering from memory loss or dementia. These facilities often provide support specifically organized with these residents in mind, such as educational programs, family counseling and support groups that might not be available at a more traditional facility.
- Special activities: People with memory loss or dementia can benefit from programs that help them stay mentally alert, such as arts and crafts, music, reading, and group outings. Find out what special programs the facility offers to their residents.
- The staff: Does the staff operate in a calm and soothing manner? Do they treat the residents with respect and respond to their requests and concerns? Do the residents seem comfortable? Try visiting at different times of the day to see how the staff interacts with the residents.
- Medical care and medication: Find out if the facility is licensed to administer drugs by injection or other types of medical care that the resident cannot self-administer.
The best way to find a good nursing home is by referral. Ask family, friends, and neighbors if they have experience with any good nursing care facility, or if they know someone who does. Ask members of the church or social organization that you belong to if they are affiliated with any such facilities or if they can recommend any. You can also ask your family physician if he or she has had any personal experience with a facility in your area. Finally, check with your local social service agencies to see if they can offer any targeted referrals.
When the time comes for you to make financial or health decisions for an older relative, it would be extremely advantageous to everyone involved if you had already prepared the documents needed to give you the authority to handle such decisions. An experienced elder law attorney can help you prepare these documents in advance.
Contact Jodat Law Group Today
Jodat Law Group is a team of experienced attorneys who are passionate about helping victims of nursing home negligence and abuse fight for just compensation. If you have questions about your or a loved one’s care in a Florida nursing home call at (877) 563 2852. or contact us today for a free consultation.
