Choosing a nursing home or retirement village

Deciding to place a loved one in a nursing home or retirement village is not an easy decision. However, you can gain peace of mind by ensuring that whichever setting you choose provides care on a par with that received at home.

You can do this by taking the following steps.

• Remember that continued family involvement in the care of the individual will help the provider offer the best care possible.

• Only consider facilities in which you feel comfortable and where the staff are friendly and welcoming. You can only assess this by visiting the facility and checking it for yourself.

• Practical issues that you need to consider are the location of the nursing home or retirement village, access to public transport and distance to the hospital, doctors or other therapists such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, etc.

• You should also consider visiting hours – and make sure they fit around your family’s schedules.

• Be aware of hygiene, noise levels, odours, general upkeep, staff appearance, resident appearance, spaciousness, day and relaxation rooms, resident bedrooms, etc.

You must remember that this will become ‘ home’ for the individual and it is important that you are satisfied that it will be a comfortable, safe and caring environment.

• What about dining and meal services? Is the menu varied, nutritious and interesting?

• Is food presented well? Are residents who need assistance with eating receiving this help?

• Notice what activities are going on when you visit. Are residents occupied in interesting activities or left sitting unoccupied and unaccompanied?

• Enquire about staffing levels and in particular the levels of supervision at night.

• Ask about extra charges such as for transport and therapies and the arrangements that are made for paying them.

Perhaps ask the care providers to do an assessment on your loved one prior to admission. This will assist the nursing home in determining whether or not they are able to meet the needs of the resident.

You must remember that this will become ‘home’ for the individual and it is important that you are satisfied that it will be a comfortable, safe and caring environment.