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Tips for Choosing a Nursing Home It can be a difficult to make the decision to put a loved one in a Wichita nursing home in KS. Sometimes it must be done because the person can no longer live alone or has suffered a health crisis that makes it impossible for him or her to take care of him or herself. Whatever the reason, when you have to make this decision, you want to be sure that you make the right choice. Here are some tips that can help you as you look at nursing homes. Check Out the Staff The staff at a Wichita nursing home in KS is very important. You want to be sure they are properly trained and will know how to care for any special needs your loved one has. In addition, check the staff to patient ratio. There should be enough staff members to provide adequate attention to each resident. If the staff is overwhelmed, it could affect care. Also, check into turnover rates. Most nursing homes will have a bit of turnover just because it is a demanding and difficult job, but there should be at least some long time employees who have been there for years. Look Over the Facility When checking out the facility, you want to look at cleanliness and security. Make sure there are no safety hazards or security weaknesses that could pose a risk to your loved one. Ask about visitor policies and what happens if a resident wants to leave for the day. Also, pay attention to the smell. You want a clean smell without an overpowering smell of bleach or chemicals. Any heavy smells could indicate an issue with the level of care. Learn About Meals A good Wichita nursing home in KS will have a trained dietary staff. They will be able to handle special diets and put together meals that are nutritious and pleasing. You might want to have a meal just to see about the food quality. Inquire about special treats, and watch residents as they eat to ensure they are being helped when needed and that everyone looks like they are enjoying their meals. Observe the Residents Watching the residents can tell you a lot about a home. Are they happy? Are they engaging with each other and the staff? Are there activities for them to do? You should try to talk to residents and ask what they like and don’t like about the facility. Of course, keep in mind that some residents may be suffering from dementia or other health issues that could warp their reality. Take what they say in the context of what else you have observed. For example, if a resident tells you they never get to have special treats because they are being punished by the staff but you know the resident is a diabetic, then you can probably safely assume that the resident isn’t being punished and is actually being properly cared for. Doing these things can help you to learn more about each nursing home you visit. It can give you a chance to really see what the quality of life will be for your loved one if they were to live there.
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