It is never an easy decision to make when it comes to reaching the point where your loved one needs to be in a caring environment that is geared up for looking after those who have dementia, but if you can find the right option and a place that feels like home it can help ease your concerns.
When you start searching for a care home that caters specifically for dementia patients it is essential that you ask a lot of questions and go through a vetting process so that you are happy that the one you choose will be able to offer your loved one the best possible levels of care and comfort.
Learning about the facilities available and being comfortable in your own mind that your loved one will be well looked after is obviously a key priority. You can get help at parcprovence.com, for example, when it comes to asking about things like occupational therapy and other activities that are designed to enrich the life of the people staying there.
Here is a look at how to find the care for your loved one with dementia that they deserve.
Paying an inspection visit
Once a decision has been made that you need to find the right type of dementia care for your loved one the next step is to start your search for a suitable home that ticks all of the right boxes.
It can be a bit daunting and emotionally challenging to contemplate finding a new home for your loved one and that is a good reason for creating a comprehensive checklist of what you want to ask.
A crucial part of the selection process is to pay a visit to each of the care homes you think may be suitable.
There are a number of things that you need to pay attention to when visiting a care home for the first time and that is why it helps to have a checklist to refer to. Make sure you give yourself enough time to see everything you want to and try to interact with staff and some of the existing residents if that is possible.
The key thing to remember is that it is perfectly acceptable to ask lots of questions so that you can form a definite opinion about the suitability of the care home for your loved one.
Use your instincts
It is often said that first impressions count, and you will quickly form an opinion when you arrive and start to look around.
Make a note of how you are greeted when you arrive and try to evaluate if the atmosphere has a feel of being homely and whether the residents appear to be happy and relaxed.
See if the rooms and communal areas are well kept and nicely decorated with comfortable furnishings and use your nose to detect if there are any aromas that are a bit unpleasant.
Within a few minutes of being there, you will have formed a clear initial opinion and your instincts will often tell you whether the care home gives off a good vibe or not.
Are the residents happy?
You want your loved one to have the best facilities possible but just as importantly you will want them to feel like they are at home.
One of the best indicators of how good the care home is can be gleaned from judging whether the residents there appear to be contented and the staff is interacting them in a friendly way as well as treating them with a level of dignity and respect.
There are so many clues if you look for them during your visit, such as how well dressed and groomed the residents are and whether they are encouraged to be as independent as possible in the circumstances.
Location is an important factor
Although there will be a clear emphasis on making sure that the care home meets the sort of standard that you would expect for your loved one it is also highly relevant to consider location as an important factor.
Ideally, you will want the care home to be in a location where it is easy for you to visit your loved one and where there are a number of useful facilities within close proximity, such as a park where you can go for a pleasant stroll if your loved one is able to get out and about.
Respecting their privacy
It is clearly going to be a big adjustment when moving to a care home and a good way to make that transition more manageable is to ensure that they have a level of comfort and privacy that you know they would want.
Ask about the bedroom arrangements and check whether residents have a single room to themselves. Also, check whether your loved one can bring some of their own furniture and possessions to make it feel more homely.
Another thing to look for is whether staff at the care home appear to respect the resident’s privacy by knocking before entering the bedroom area.
Social life
If your loved one has always liked to be sociable or they are quite happy in their own company a lot of the time you will want to know that the care home can accommodate their needs and preferences.
Ask about social activities and also enquire whether there are quiet areas that can be used when you come to visit or if your loved one wants to enjoy more tranquil surroundings.
Other considerations
- Other questions on your checklist should cover topics such as meals, visiting arrangements, and toilet facilities.
- Ask to see a sample weekly menu to get an idea of the variety and quality of food being served.
- With regard to visiting arrangements, ask whether you can call in at any time and check whether families are encouraged to get involved in activities going on at the home.
- Finally, be mindful that toilet issues create challenges as dementia takes hold and you will want to know that staff is proactive when it comes to helping your loved one in this regard.
You will obviously want the very best care for your loved one and one of the best ways to ensure that this happens is to take your time asking plenty of questions and looking around before making your final choice.