"I guess I didn't know she had declined so much since last Summer."
Since our opening in October of 2014, this is a common theme we hear frequently from loved one's tasked with making care decisions for a parent, grandparent or sibling who may suddenly need a lot more care and oversight than they did just a few months ago.
Health changes can happen quickly, especially for those living alone. Medication mistakes and a lack of proper nutrition and hydration can wreak havoc on a person's health in just a few days leading to disorientation, falls and urinary tract infections just to name a few.
As families plan to gather this Holiday season, many will find themselves needing to assess the future care needs of a loved one. As you have those discussions, keep in mind this quick reference list of important items to consider.
1. What are the parent finances like? Monthly income, savings, investments all will need to be used to pay for care in assisted living and memory care facilities. Medicare does not pay for these services and in some states the home may have to be sold eventually.
2. If we decide to place a parent, what does the staffing look like at that facility? Many facilities in greater Cincinnati are forced to employ a large portion of their staff with part time and agency staffing which typically have little knowledge of the residents they care for. Ask yourself is this what I want for Mom or Dad?
3. What staff to resident ratios does the facility have? Larger dormitory facilities often will rely on ratios of 1-12 or more which simply do not support the level of care most people in an assisted living or memory care setting need.
4. If you haven't already done so, make sure that Financial and Medical Power of Attorney's have been completed for each parent.
5. Ask you parents if they have prepared a will or other estate documents and if so what law firm was used and where their copies are stored.
At Angels Care Family Home, our staffing rations are 1 to 5 in addition to several other support staff and managers available on site and on call 24 hours a day.
Over 80% of our residents have moved to Angels Care from other facilities with inadequate staffing at larger facilities cited as the number one reason they made a move.
Angels Care does not use agency or temporary staffing of any kind. Many of our tenured staff have been with Angels Care for 4 years or more and many for much longer.
Angels Care offers both tiered and fixed rate structures to meet most circumstances.
Mention this blog and receive $500.00 of your first full month's rent.
From all of us at Angels Care Family Home, Happy Holidays!