Making the decision to choose a nursing home for a loved one can be a mix of emotions. You may not feel like you have the time and knowledge to take care of your loved one at home properly, and potentially on your own. But choosing a residence for them can feel difficult as you’re “placing them in a home”. There should be no guilt as you’re doing what’s best for them and you overall. Picking a location like Crescent Lake House is the best of both worlds. Large enough for 26 residents but still giving excellent, quality care that’s individualized for each resident.
Don’t Feel Rushed Into A Decision
It may sound counter-intuitive, especially if your loved one has progressed rapidly health wise and may need placement into a facility sooner rather than later. But this is a big decision and a lot of thought and emotion should be placed on their ultimate housing situation. If you can buy yourself a little more time, either by caring for your loved ones on your own or with family, or through an in-home care service, even for a few additional days, it can make a world of difference. Doing as much research as you can do will help you narrow the facilities down by what services they offer. If your loved one needs more specialized care, such as an Alzheimer’s wing, this is something that needs to be at the top of the list. If they are fairly independent now but may quickly need more hands-on care, a facility that’s split as dual independent living and a nursing home will be a good starting point.
Location
You want to not only visit these places and speak with some of the staff, but take into consideration some other factors. The location will be important, as you don’t want it to be too far away in case of any emergencies, as you can get there quickly. You also want a facility that is large enough to provide proper stimulation to your loved one without having too many residents. If the facility isn’t close to you but to another close family member, is that okay with you? If you have to drive 45 minutes to get to the place, will you still be okay with the commute one year, or five years into it? Also think about your loved one’s overall personality; if they are more outgoing and enjoy the company of others, a larger facility might do them good as they can stay active and thrive with friends. If they are content to spend most of their time in their rooms reading, knitting, or playing cards, then it’s best to look for a smaller facility or one with larger resident rooms to afford them some breathability.
Staffing & Activities
As previously mentioned, it’s always ideal to visit the facility first to get a good impression. Talking with the main directors of the facility is necessary, but also see if you can talk to a few of the RN’s or nurses on the floor, if they have a few moments. Seeing how they feel about working there and their individual experiences can be enlightening. They can give you insight into whether the facility has too many residents per nurse or has a good work balance. Seeing if they also have a calendar of events and what activities they provide for residents will give you a good idea of how much your loved one will enjoy living there. If they have a lot of sedentary activities and your loved one still enjoys walking a little bit, or vice versa, then you’ll know whether your loved one might feel a little antsy there or perfectly content.
Contact Us
If the thought of picking a facility for your loved one is still stressful or overwhelming, talk to other family and friends for their opinions if you can. Visiting Crescent Lake House may help you make up your mind as well, with it’s beautiful acreage and serene environment. You know you’ll make the right choice by picking Crescent Lake House! Call or stop by today for a tour of our stunning facility!