by Jane A Malkoff MSN RN NP
- When is it time to consider nursing facility care?
- How do you make a selection?
- Now what do you do after the move takes place?
#3 Now what do you do after the move takes place?
After the often grueling and hectic decision making period of considering facility placement and then making the actual selection, reality sets in. It may have seemed like the hardest part was over only to realize it has just begun. Once a loved one is moved into the selected location and receiving care a new layer of responsibility is under way. I hope the following information proves helpful in making this stage of the journey more manageable.
- Let the facility handle the care. It is hard to get used to the lack of one on one care for a loved one and the time it can take a facility to get up to speed with your loved one’s needs. However, it is best to allow them to provide the care versus you stepping in to do it. This creates accountability and trust. Your time is better spent making sure they know what your loved one likes and how versus stepping in and doing it for them.
- Be an advocate. Visit regularly and at all times of day and night. Hire someone with expertise to do this for you if you cannot.
- Establish a go-to connection at the facility with someone of authority. While you must report concerns in real time to the staff that is present, change will only come about when someone of authority is brought into the loop each and every time. This may be the social worker, director of nursing, or the assistant director of nursing.
- Team build. Treat everyone in the building like team mates. The cream will rise to the top.
- Report concerns to your go-to staff and executive director if warranted and file formal complaints with the state department of health when warranted. Contrary to popular worry, it does not cause retribution.
- Make sure there are regular Care Plan Meetings and convene one through the social worker whenever you deem necessary to keep the train on track.
- Keep up with the state surveys and community scuttle to make sure the building remains under good standing.
- Always remember, the corporation who owns the building are being paid to provide a service to your loved one. Don’t accept lousy in a facility any more than you would from any other service you pay for (fast food, hair salon, clothing store…).
Also, please know, my phone is available to you for discussion on this topic, anytime.