Frail care facilities are passionate about caring for elderly people. With age, some people experience degenerative conditions. This may lead to the need for special care every day. This is another reason a reputable frail care facility is important. Frail care includes help with daily activities such as bathing, eating, medication administration, and rehabilitation. These institutes also help patients with mental incapacity conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s, to name a few. If your loved one needs extra care, more than you’re able to provide, then finding the right frail care facility is of utmost importance. It can be a frightful journey and one full of uncertainties. But, with the right health care personnel and the right frail care facility, you can have the peace of mind knowing that your parent is in good hands.
First things first when choosing the right frail care facility
You may have many questions and probably no idea where to start looking. This is also a long-term and life-changing decision that cannot be taken lightly. To make things a bit easier, you can first ask yourself the following questions:
What type of assistance does my mother or father need?
- Do they have health conditions that render it impossible to perform duties by themselves or to take care of themselves?
- Are they living independently and merely looking to lead simpler lives, while residing in a safe community?
- Do they require 24/7 medical assistance because of their health or mental status?
Answering these helps make it a bit clearer about the type of facility your parent needs.
Comparing cost and types
Frail care facilities are expensive but often necessary. Some facilities offer:
- Assisted living options
- Some retirement homes partner with frail care institutes (not on-site)
- Frail care staff on-site
- Some retirement villages offer a medical centre on-site to the residents
Ways to make sure that you are finding the facility for your senior loved one
Check information about the old-age home
- How is their operation?
- How old is the establishment
- Do they have a good reputation?
Check the staff out
- Are they happy and taken care of? (happy nursing staff are good to their patients)
- Are they trained in what they do?
- What are the criteria when they employ new staff (do they do a background check?)
- Spend time in the facility to see how they are with the patients
- What nurses do they have (registered nurses, staff nurses, auxiliary nurses, and care workers)
How many staff is there to the number of residents at the facility?
- Are they understaffed? Understaffing may lead to poor management and service to the residents
- More staff to patient ratio means better care
The general hygiene of the facility
- Is the frail care facility clean?
- Do they keep the kitchen and pantry clean?
Meals and dietary
- Discuss any dietary options and specifications of your loved one
- Do they supply good meals (eating well supports good health)
The overall atmosphere of the facility and safety
- Is there good security in the place?
- Are the environment and atmosphere that of a happy and warm nature?
- Are there places for the residents to enjoy nature and go for walks?
- Are there stimulating activities to uplift patients’ mood?
Legal regulations and finances
- Ask about how they apply an increase and how many have there been to date (this will help with your budget planning)
- What is included in the fee and what isn’t?
- Take time to read over the terms and conditions of the frail care facility (read it at your home)
- If you have a legal advisor, check with them on certain clause regarding lease termination and other legal factors
Are you looking for a frail care facility for your loved one? Brooklyn Care provides the best in frail care needs.
Red-flag-warnings and signs to keep your loved one from a bad frail care facility
It’s not always easy to spot the bad ones, and as scary as that sounds, it is unfortunate that they exist at all. When you’re paying high-rates for proper care, then you’d assume that your parent is in good hands and are happy.
Here are some things to look out for:
- Unexplained bruises
- Unsanitary conditions
- Abusive staff
- Staff ignorance towards residents
- Negligence
- Abuse (verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual)
- Misuse or abuse of finances (unaccounted for transactions from your parent’s account)
FAQ: Choosing the right facility
What should I look for when choosing a nursing home?
-Good facility
-Visit the facility
-Are the staff good to patients
-Read the contract carefully
How do I choose an assisted living community?
Choose a frail care facility that is close to your home so it will be easy to visit your family member
What makes a great nursing home?
Make sure its a safe and clean environment for the patient that is entering the frail care
How much does frail care cost?
from R17 900
What should you look for in long term care?
-Look for the best option for your family member
-Compare your options to all frail care facilities in the area
-Read the fine print in the contract