5 Tips for Choosing a Nursing Home

It has become clear that Mom can no longer live alone. But what sort of facility would be the best choice for her? Assisted-living? A nursing home?

It depends on her needs.

The best way to begin this decision is for the family members to conduct an objective needs assessment for Mom. Is she no longer able to properly groom or toilet herself? Does she have dementia or other medical issues that require ongoing care?

If so, she needs the care provided by a nursing home.

But this just creates another question. How do you choose something good enough for Mom?

Consider the following when choosing a nursing home:

1. It’s best to find one close to where her children (or the child who is taking the most responsibility for her care) are, so visiting is easier. Search online for a list of nursing homes within a few-mile radius.
2. Make sure the nursing home offers the specific care she requires. For example, if Mom has Alzheimer’s, does the facility have a Memory Care unit? Specialized care for Mom’s conditions can make all the difference.
3. Check the reviews. Sites such as senioradvisor.com, wellness.com, and caring.com offer information, reviews, and even photos of nursing homes.
4. Call the most promising nursing homes to get information you may not have gleaned from the reviews. Is nursing staff available twenty-four hours a day? How often are registered nurses and doctors available?
   Ask if they’re taking new patients. What are their accommodations like: can mom get a private room, or will she need to have a roommate? Personal preferences — and finances — will help determine this choice.
5. Schedule a tour. When you go, look closely at how the staff treats the residents. Are they friendly and warm? Do the residents appear happy, clean, and well-groomed? Is the environment well-lit, and pleasant? What are the activities available for residents?

By doing your homework, you can do your best to take care of Mom.

Tower Lodge Care Center, in Wall, NJ, gets consistently high grades on all measures of care. Our tasteful and well-appointed facilities are located on beautiful, pastoral grounds. Our step-free facility offers private and semi-private rooms, and our dietitians and culinary staff accommodate each resident with delicious, health-conscious meals designed for their needs and preferences.
And, of course, we offer care for all sorts of medical conditions, including Memory Care.

Call us at 732-681-1400, or by clicking here.