Admitting a loved one into a long-term care facility is not an easy decision. But it is important to remember that they may need a lot of care that you cannot provide for them, and as such, they will be happier and more comfortable at a facility.
Suppose your loved ones are becoming too old, suffer from some disease like dementia or Alzheimer’s, or have a physical disability. In that case, they should be looked after by trained and specialized people who can provide them better treatment and care. When looking for the right long-term care for elderly family members or other loved ones, there are a few things you need to consider.
What Are the Needs of Your Loved One?
Your loved one may have some specific needs that not every care facility can meet. For example, a loved one with a physical disability might need a nurse that is trained to care for patients with that disability, or they may need help with daily activities that require a full-time helper. A loved one with Alzheimer’s may require special memory training that not every facility offers.
What Facilities Can You Afford?
Long-term care can be quite expensive depending on the facility you choose and what state you live in. You may be charged anywhere between $5,000 to $10,000 a month on average.
Most health insurance and Medicare packages do not cover long-term care, and unless you have long-term care insurance or some other amount of money saved away, you will have to look into finding the most cost-effective options.
Take Recommendations from Friends and Family
If you have friends and family that have loved ones admitted to long-term care, it would be a good idea to sit down with them and discuss whatever thoughts or questions you may have. Not only will they be able to give you first-hand accounts about their experience with facilities, but they can also recommend certain facilities to you.
Visit Different Facilities
Do your research, find facilities near you, and then schedule a visit. Looking online and speaking to facility directors on the phone can only give you so much of an idea. Visit the facilities and look out for the general atmosphere. Is the facility clean? Are the rooms tidy and comfortable?
Are there any recreational facilities? What is the food like? You want to choose a facility where your loved one can be comfortable and feel at home.
Speak to Some of the Residents at Different Facilities
One way to make sure that a facility is a good choice is by assessing whether or not the residents at that facility are happy with the care they receive. Have a conversation with a few residents and ask them about their quality of life.
Are they allowed to plan their own days? Can they have visitors whenever they like? What is their privacy like? And most importantly, are they treated with kindness and respect?
Is The Staff Trained and Certified?
The long-term care facility staff should be properly trained and certified to take care of your loved ones and meet all of their needs. There should also be enough staff at the facility that your loved one has somebody attending to them whenever they need. Keep an eye out for certified nurses, caretakers, therapists, and social workers.
What Is Their Emergency Protocol?
When it comes to elderly family members or loved ones that have some kind of disease or disability, there can be accidents and emergencies at any time. The care facility that you choose should have a proper emergency protocol. You should also see if the facility has any hospitals or clinics nearby or any resident doctors or nurses for emergencies.
Center for Long Term Care Planning – LTC Insurance Boca Raton
We are sure that you would prefer to choose the very best long-term care facility for your loved ones given a choice. However, without financial help, you may have to settle for a second or third choice. This is why we recommend long-term care insurance.
With long-term care insurance, you can cover between $50,000 to $100,000 per year for the best facilities available and do not have to worry about your future care. You can get in touch with the Center for Long Term Care Planning to start an insurance plan that suits you. Visit our website https://centerforlongtermcareplanning.com/ for more information, or call us at (561) 272-0720.