Whisper's "Where do We Go from here?"
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Choosing the right kind of Extended care
One thing that is foremost on all of our minds, when
we are met with the illness of a parent or other loved one is just where do we
go from here?
We love this person and want what is best for them,
but also for us! We want to show him/her that we love them, yet may feel ill
equipped and unable to do this by ourselves.
The optimal setting, of course, is trying to find a
way for them to stay in their own home in familiar surroundings. For a
period of time Insurance companies(including Medicare) do help folks stay in
their own home with with visiting nurses, physical therapy, occupational
therapists and the like. The keyword is limited time. The person
must be homebound. And is the person equipped to do their own chores and
Activities of Daily Living during the hours when the therapists and nurses
are not there?
One solution if they still need help is possibly
finding a college student who would like room and board in exchange for being a
companion during the hours when no one else could be there. Naturally this
would entail some careful checking into backgrounds and spot checking from time
to time to be sure your loved one is being well cared for. But well planned and
checked out this could be the answer for many.
When chosing a Nursing Home or Extended care
center, many things must be taken into consideration.
- What are your needs?
- is the person expected to make a full recovery?
- Is this to be a permanent living situation?
- Are they able to take care of themselves with
minimal assistance or do they need total care?
These are just some of the things instrumental in
making the decision. Whenever possible include your loved ones in the decision
after all it is their future really.
 A great link to check out this Health and
Wellness link!
NURSING HOMES/EXTENDED CARE FACILITIES
These are good for either short or long term care but
should be chosen wisely.
- check first to see if they are accreditted.
- Go unexpectedly and observe how the residents are
cared for and about.
- Make sure all services required by your loved one
are offered at the facility
- check to be sure all employees have had their
credentials checked.
If this is the choice you have made. It is important
that you observe your loved one and the care they are receiving. If you
have any reason to doubt, DO NOT hesitate to call for an investigation.
This too can be made as pleasant as possible by taking
some of their favorite things to their room. A favorite blanket, pictures,
television set, radio, clock, etc. Plan also on making regular visits so
they have something to look forward to. Encourage them to take part in the
activities in the facility. Have dinner with them occasionally, most facilities
have provisions for you to share a meal with them as long as you give them prior
notice.
As your loved one stats to improve, you can begin
taking them out on little excursions, to a favorite store or place, or to their
favorite restaurant. Make them feel a part of the decision process.
Discuss what the plans are be open and honest.
This could be a wonderful experience for you as a
family or a real bad scene. That is up to you and how you handle it.
Noone likes to feel a burden or to be totally dependant on another. So open
honesty and discussing anxieties may make this a most rewarding experience.
BRINGING THE PERSON TO YOUR HOME.
This may be the answer for you. If this is the case
you must prepare your home.
- If possible take a room downstairs and put as many
of the persons own things there that you can.
- have any ramps installed prior to their coming home
that are necessary
- allow them privacy as much as you can
- make changes to the bathroom if necessary, putting
in toilet set extenders, non skid strips in the tub, shower chairs, sturdy
bars for them to hang on to.
- Change to phones with volume controls if necessary
- put things that they might use if you are not there
in cabinets where they can reach them.
- the most important thing though is to allow them to
do what they can do. Give them some chores that it is up to them to do.
This will make them feel loved, needed and wanted.
RETIREMENT CENTERS
These are for the self sufficient. Many have
their own beauty and barber shops, libraries, theaters, and hobby rooms. The
hobby rooms are places that the residents bring the tools of their favorite
hobby and place them to share with others. Often giving instructions to the
others in the community.
Usually they offer little trips at reduced rates and
the opportunity to have meals in a community dining room where they can meet
other folks. A great place for active individuals.
The main drawbacks to this type of place is that they
often have to sign over their properties (land homes etc.) to the center in
exchange for their apartments.
This sometimes can be expensive. The apartments
are usually purchased and furnished by the purchaser. But a great way for
folks to stay young and alive.
ASSISTED LIVING
It is important that you realize that this is not
constant care. You must check with each individual center to be sure
what they offer. Help can be arranged for to assist with daily care such as
baths, changing linens and the like and being sure medications are taken, but
your loved one must be able to essentially care for themselves. In both
this and the retirement centers there is usually a panic button for their use in
case of emergency.
GROUP HOMES
This is a relatively new idea that seems to be working
well for lots of people. Folks are actually taken into a family type home.
Similar to those you hear about for mentally handicapped folks. Nurses are
available for treatments dressing changes and the like, but it is a homelike
atmosphere which is very conducive to healing.
Agin you must make sure it is licensed and that all caregivers have
propercredentialling and is advised you make unscheduled trips to the home to be
sure of the care your loved one is receiving.
There are other methods which will be explained in more detail later
such as Hospice care, and Home Health Care. This was just a short synopsis
to get you thinking. Anything can and does happen when we least expect it.
There are also many apartments around for Seniors that
are affordable when the extra services are not needed. It may take some doing to
locate these but they are out there. And there are new Senior Day Care
Centers being started all over the country at this time. this may help take some
of the pressure off the families and allow the Seniors to have some fun
activities and to make new friends.
Copyright © 1997
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Last modified:
March 28, 2006
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