Most of us will have to decide which nursing home is the right for a loved one at some point, so starting your research now can only be beneficial. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, due to an aging population, the number of individuals in need of long-term care services and support is expected to increase consistently over the coming decades. Keep reading to learn more about how to find the best assisted living facility in Sedona.
How Do You Ensure a Nursing Home Will Meet Your Loved One’s Specific Needs?
The National Institute on Aging (NIH) recommends calling and visiting multiple nursing homes (more commonly referred to as assisted living facilities) to get a feel for each location. When visiting each location, bring a copy of Medicare’s Nursing Home Checklist so you can easily know what you’re looking for and be sure your loved one will be in good hands. If possible, consider bringing your loved one with you to see how they feel about each location as well.
What Questions Should You Ask During a Nursing Home Tour?
Examples of questions you should ask include:
- How many staff members per patient are there?
- How long have key members of staff worked at the nursing home?
- What are the staff’s specific qualifications?
- Is there a doctor on staff? How often do they check on the patients?
- What types of activities are planned for residents, and how often? (Also ask if you can attend one).
- Is there a safe place where your loved one can spend time outdoors?
- On average, how much individual time does each patient receive from staff?
- Is 24-hour observation available (if required)?
- What specific infectious disease prevention tools are implemented?
How Can You Evaluate the Reputation of a Nursing Home?
According to a 2022 article from AARP, you can find multiple online tools, such as Find and Compare through Medicare, to check a nursing home’s rating. However, online reviews can never replace the information you will get from:
- Visiting the location
- Talking to staff at every level
- Observing response time to patients
- Observing cleanliness and the general mood of patients
- Asking questions and interacting with staff
- Participating in activities, trying the food, and getting the overall feel of the facility
What Should You Look for When Choosing a Nursing Home in Sedona?
According to the NIH, while it’s vital to ensure that the nursing facility you choose is qualified and knowledgeable, after this, the most important factor to consider is your loved one’s needs and wants. Consider the following factors when making your list of skilled nursing facilities in Sedona to choose from.
Quality of Care
When choosing an assisted living facility, it’s important to consider whether they offer the healthcare services your loved one will require. For example, if your loved one has recently suffered a stroke or injury, onsite physical therapy can make a huge difference. Or if your loved one is beginning to struggle with dementia, memory care is going to be an essential aspect of their care.
To assess the quality of care at a nursing home, make your list of essential services and highlight which ones are crucial and which would be more convenient onsite.
Haven Health’s Nursing Facility in Sedona Offers the Following Services
- Onsite physical therapy
- Complex wound care
- Infectious disease care
- Memory care
- Occupational therapy
- Infusion care
- Speech therapy
- Skilled nursing services
Amenities
Depending on the extent of care and assistance your loved one requires, knowing what type of amenities are offered at a skilled nursing facility can be crucial to whether or not someone can feel at home there.
Consider which of the following amenities and services are a necessity to your loved one in a nursing home, such as:
- Laundry services
- Meal services
- Communal dining areas
- Grooming services
- Private room
- Medication management
- Planned activities
- Outdoor areas
- Transportation services for appointments
Haven Health’s Sedona Nursing Facility Offers the Following Amenities
- Private rooms
- Full-service dining
- Expansive common areas
- Laundry services
- Onsite gym with rehabilitation equipment
Staff Qualifications
What qualifications should the nursing home staff have? According to the NIH, examples of the qualifications nursing home staff should have include:
- State licensing
- Medicare and Medicaid certification
- Disability accessibility
Location
When deciding on an ideal location, you want to weigh what’s necessary, what’s desired by the patient, and the practicality of the location. For example, does the patient want to be close to family and friends so they’re more likely to have more frequent visitors? Is the location an ideal distance from the patients’ doctors, pharmacy, etc.?
Choosing the right nursing home can be a difficult decision. Weighing your options and thinking about it early can save you a lot of unnecessary stress. For a skilled nursing facility in Sedona, check out our award-winning Haven Health Sedona location.
Sources:
How To Choose a Nursing Home or Other Long-Term Care Facility. (2023).
Projections of Risk of Needing Long-Term Services and Supports at Ages 65 and Older. (2021).
Schoch, D. (2022). Finding a Nursing Home: Don’t Wait Until You Need One to Do the Research.