If you have a loved one who can no longer safely live alone, it may be necessary for them to enter a nursing home. While this is a difficult decision to make, it is necessary. There are probably several nursing facilities in your area. That can make it difficult to know which facility is right for your loved one. The following tips will help you make an informed choice.

Decide What’s Important To Your Loved One

You want your loved one to enter a facility where he or she feels at home. They likely had a routine that they would like to stick to in their new setting. You should take into consideration the following when choosing an appropriate nursing facility:

• Level of nursing care needed
• Religious connection
• Hospice care
• Dementia care

Determining the type of care your loved one needs, as well as keeping their routine, is important in determining which facility is best.

Consider The Cleanliness of the Facility

When you enter a nursing facility, it is normal to smell odors that are unpleasant. Residents often suffer from incontinence which creates such odors. But if you tour a facility and it reeks of stale urine, it could be a sign that the facility is not being cleaned properly. If a person has several accidents, the urine can penetrate through the floor wax. If you notice a strong smell, that’s a good indication the floors are not stripped and rewaxed after such accidents.

Get Referrals

Most nursing homes have a reputation either for providing adequate care or for being neglectful. There’s a good chance that someone you know has had an experience with the nursing facility you’re considering for your loved one. You’ll want to ask relevant questions so that you have a solid understanding of the type of care offered by the facility.

How Do Residents Spend Their Time?

Just because your loved one needs to enter a nursing facility does not mean they no longer wish to remain active. You need to inquire about the activities available to residents. Most facilities have an activities department. Daily activities are planned for the residents and residents can partake as much or as little as they wish. Weekly outings, such as shopping or visiting a park, are often planned to keep residents active and engaged. If your loved one is still fairly active, such activities will be important and you need to have a good understanding of how the nursing facility will engage your loved one.

Visit The Nursing Home

The best way to learn about a nursing facility is to visit. You may need to visit more than once. That’s okay. This is going to be your loved one’s new home so you want to ensure the facility is going to provide top-notch care and other services. Schedule a meeting with the administrator and director of nursing. They are qualified to answer any questions you may have and can also give you a tour and point out the features that may interest your loved one.

It can be difficult to know which nursing home is best for your loved one. Every facility has its pros and cons. It’s your job to discern what qualities are important to your loved one when deciding which nursing facility offers what is needed. Your main goal is to choose a place where your loved one will be happy and maintain their quality of life. The decision to place your loved one in a nursing home is tough, but with proper due diligence, you can find adequate care where your loved one will be happy.