Nursing homes provide 24/7 medical attention as most residents require a great deal of help with daily living activities. Elders who suffer from debilitating medical conditions, or have severe cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer’s disease, require a skilled nursing staff that is typically found in a nursing home.
WHAT KIND OF SERVICES ARE OFFERED?
- Nursing homes generally provide:
- 24-hour medical supervision
- Personal care assistance (bathing, dressing, etc.)
- Security and emergency call systems
- Housekeeping services
- Social activities
- Meals
- Transportation
IS MEDICARE ACCEPTED AT A NURSING HOME?
Medicare is typically accepted by nursing homes.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR WHEN VISITING A FACILITY?
You should always visit a facility more than once, and at different times of day. Whenever possible, talk to some of the residents of the nursing home. Remember, it’s an administrator’s job to “sell” you on their facility, but a resident will give you a truthful picture of the facility. Ask about:
- Who plans the services offered at the facility?
- How are residents’ needs assessed?
- Are there dementia programs?
- Can residents get exercise outdoors?
- How are changes in a resident’s health care handled?
- Does the staff assist residents with medication administration?
HOW DO I START MY FACILITY SEARCH?
When looking for a nursing home, you will find a barrage of placement service companies, all claiming to be local experts in the field with the ability to make a perfect placement free of charge. You need to be cautious of what you are getting into when you get involved with a free senior placement service. There are a vast number of these companies that have sprung up in South Florida. They are unregulated and require no special licensing or training! It’s very easy for anybody with a little cash to put up a website and sell this service. It’s become a“get rich quick” business that has been growing around the country, especially in Florida where there is a huge demand. This is not to say that a majority of companies are not on the up-and-up, it’s just that you need to be careful. That’s why Horizon Care Services wants to assist you in finding a reputable placement service.
Most placement services work the same way and get commissions when seniors move into a facility. While there are some national online companies who can be very non-personal, there are some truly amazing local companies we work with who meet seniors face-to-face and even tour facilities with them. Making a decision for any kind of long-term placement is a very emotional decision, and you want to make it with somebody who actually cares about your wants and needs.
Call our team today to ask about the best communities and facilities in South Florida. We’re not only here to help…we WANT to help!
