Find Your Loved Ones a Welcoming & Supportive Environment

Oconcordialm.org Find your loved ones a Welcomingand Supportive Environment Tips to Choose the Right Nursing Home Did you know 1.6 million residents are living in nursing homes? Cleanliness Observe the level of cleanliness and make sure the community looks fresh and clean. Free to make Choices Ask the facility how much freedom they offer their residents. The more freedom a nursing home gives its residents, the more likely those residents will be happy with their day-to-day lives. FREEDOM Certifications The nursing home should be inspect- ed, accredited and certified by a third party organization like CARF International (An independent, non-profit accreditor of health and human services). Policies Before choosing nursing homes look into all of the potential nursing homes' policies. Ask questions like, Is smoking allowed?, Are there restricted visiting hours? And so on... TERMS AND CONDITIONS Security and Safety Find out the facility's plan for keeping your loved one safe and secure. Inves- tigate their fire safety systems, medical care, precautions to protect resident's belongings, etc. Activities Inquire about the types of activities they employ to get rid of the boredom of residents. Participating in activities can help residents with socialization and overall health. Fee schedule Nursing homes are required by law to spell out their exact fees for service, so go through the facilities' fee structure before making any decision. "To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors." - Tia Walker An Infographic by www.concordialm.org Concordia SOURCES Lutheran Ministrics http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/aging/elder-care/10-questions-to-ask-before-choosing-a-nursing-home.htm http://www.aarp.org/home-garden/housing/info-03-2012/safe-nursing-home-questions-to-ask.html http://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/02174.pdf http://health.usnews.com/health-news/best-nursing-homes/articles/2013/02/26/how-to-choose-a-nursing-home http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/nursing-home-care.htm http://www.webmd.com/health-insurance/nursing-home-care http://www.aplaceformom.com/senior-care-resources/articles/top-10-tips-for-visiting-communities