MOM NEEDS NURSING HOME CARE. WHAT DO I DO?

 Well first, don’t panic! It will be OK.

You have people around you who can help.  This may be your Mom’s personal physician, or maybe a social worker, or hospital discharge planner.  Either way, their role is to help people like yourself.

Find out why Mom needs service. 

That may help you to determine which kind of service she’ll need.  Can she stay at home for these services or will she need institutional care (institution is not a dirty word).  If she has a lower level of care needs, you could consider an Assisted Living facility.  These provide round the clock supervision, her own apartment or room, along with meals, laundry, housekeeping, and assistance with her medications.  They also provide Activities and socialization.  

On the other hand, Skilled Nursing Facilities (Nursing Homes) serve people who are in much greater need of assistance and clinical services.  They also provide round the clock supervision, but more medically necessary service. 

This can include: 

• Physician and professional nursing service

• Therapy services (Physical, Occupational, and Speech)

• Dietitians

• Social Workers

*Activities, and activities of daily living (eating, bathing, getting dressed, toileting, mobility, and continence care). 

Depending on Mom’s medical and psychological needs, you’ll see what kind of facility you’ll need to consider.  If possible, always get her into the decision process.  

Let’s say it is determined that she needs a nursing home.  How do you know which ones to consider? 

Listen to the professionals that I have mentioned earlier in the article. But I also suggest that you look for yourself.  Well, how do you do that?  

• Go online to Medicare.gov.  Enter the site and go to “Providers and Services''.  

• Click that on and go to “Find Care”.  Click that and then enter “My Location” and enter your city.  Then “Provider Type” and click on Nursing Homes.  

• You will see the facility names in that area and their Five Star Rating (as determined by Medicare).  

• If you click on the name, you’ll also see information on their survey inspections, staffing levels, and clinical quality measures.  It will also give you the facility address and phone number.  

• If you find a facility, call them and ask for the Admissions Department and speak with the Admissions staff. 

•  Try to ask for an appointment to visit, but keep in mind that the COVID situation may or may not allow this.  But it will be good even if you just talk and have your questions answered.  

     You may wish to speak to several facilities and that’s never a bad idea.  Check specifically with the hospital discharge planners, too.  They can be exceptionally helpful.  Then it’s up to you.