If you’re thinking about transitioning your elderly loved one to an aged care facility, it’s important to recognise that this decision involves more than simply relocating them to a new place. You need to pay attention to several aspects before you choose one among many aged care homes for your parents. Thoughtful consideration ensures you make the best decision.
This blog will cover crucial factors to look for in a nursing home for your beloved seniors.
- Health care
Not all seniors who move to residential aged care suffer from chronic diseases. Some of them may relocate just to get proper care that can improve their health because living alone in their home can’t guarantee that. Therefore, you need to make sure that the prospective nursing home provides great services equipped with skilled and reliable staff.
Ask how they regularly monitor the health of their residents. This includes whether they employ a registered nurse and medical practitioner to be on standby at all times and how capable their staff are in taking first aid procedures.
Additionally, you can ask about how room arrangements are made for residents, specifically if they are tailored to each individual’s health conditions to ensure their needs are fully met.
- Food quality
As someone ages, proper nutrient intake becomes more important, as it affects both their physical and mental well-being. Therefore, you should find an aged care facility whose commitment is to provide tasty and healthy meals to its residents.
Nutritious foods are not just about the nutrients but also about the quality of the ingredients. To assess the food quality, ask about their sourcing practices and how they ensure the freshness and nutritional value of their ingredients. Inquire about their meal preparation methods and whether they offer a variety of balanced, flavorful options. Visiting the facility and sampling the food, if possible, can also give you a clearer idea of their commitment to quality nutrition.
- Variety of activities
Most aged care homes arrange several activities, so the residents can connect and engage with others. These activities are elder-friendly and created to support the elders to maximise their potential in their hobbies.
For instance, to encourage more creativity, they organise painting or crochet classes. Additionally, they also arrange an evening party where the seniors can do a little theatrical performance or dance to some music. If the facility has a large space outside, they can do outdoor activities such as gardening, yoga or meditation, mini golf, and barbecue. Some nursing home even allows the family to join the activity to support and accompany their elders.
Site visits can bring a unique impression compared to online research. However, you should not only rely on your opinion after observing the location, because some aspects can be assessed from a clearer perspective if you directly raise questions about them. Do not hesitate to inquire about those aspects mentioned above to the residential aged care you are interested in.
