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Nursing homes have become more numerous as we see our population grow older. Ideally, our loved ones would stay at home until they pass away peacefully in their own surroundings. Unfortunately, that's not the case for some seniors. For many, advancing age means physical and mental illnesses that prevent them from caring for themselves, or at least being able to live alone. While in-home care and assisted living are options, a nursing home is a good choice when medical care and attention is a priority. Consider these qualities when researching a facility for your loved one: Type of Care While we know that nursing homes offer long term, 24-hour medical care, some may specialize in certain fields. For example, does the facility have a special Alzheimer's or dementia unit? If you have a loved one with a special need, you may want to ask them if they have experience working with similar needs. Accreditation Is the facility accredited and licensed appropriately? Believe it or not, some facilities get away with not having this until someone actually checks into it. Make sure they are licensed to provide the care that they say they provide. If they aren't, there is likely a reason that the accreditation was withdrawn or not renewed. You don't want your loved one in a facility that is not up to standards. Staff Experience Find out as much as you can about all of the staff. How long has the administrator or director been there? What is his or her experience with similar facilities? How many doctors and nurses are on staff? How many are there at any given time? What about other care providers? You should also check out the activity staff and the nutrition staff. Reputation Whether the facility is local or part of a chain, research what others have said about their services. While you can't believe everything you read or hear, you should notice a trend either good or bad. Even mixed is not necessarily bad, but you will want to ask the staff about any of the negative comments. It could be that they have corrected issues over time. Or, it could be there are ongoing problems. A key question might be if many people transfer to other facilities, and if so, why. Financial Matters Some seniors or their families have the means to pay for unlimited care at nursing homes. For those that do not have those kinds of funds, insurance or government assistance may help. Ask the facility how much they can help with sorting out insurance requirements or working out other means of payment. Are there stipulations for when the resident goes to a hospital or otherwise leaves the facilities for a short time, such as a family visit? You will want a facility that will help you sort through all the fine print and red tape. Nursing homes can be a big expense, but to get the right care for your loved one makes it all worth it. You can find quality care - just do your research! When looking for caring nursing homes Plymouth, MI, families can turn to Crystal Creek Assisted Living. Learn more at http://www.crystalcreekassistedliving.com/.
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