Attorney
Making the decision to place a loved one in a dementia care facility is an emotional and difficult process. Choosing the right facility for a dementia patient is one of the top priorities for many families. Because the process can be overwhelming, it helps to have an advocate on your side who understands the process and who has experience dealing with long-term care for dementia patients. Our California long term care planning lawyers can give you direction and guidance in the things you want to look for when you are searching for a dementia care facility.
Seven Important Questions to Ask About a Dementia Care Facility
Below are seven things a family should consider when choosing a long-term care facility for their loved one.
- What levels of dementia does the facility handle?
- Do residents share rooms?
- What are the safety protocols for the facility?
- Who is responsible for conducting assessments?
- How are staff members screened and trained?
- What is the facility’s policy on the use of chemical and physical restraints?
- How does the facility address the daily needs of the residents?
Dementia patients can go through many levels of dementia over the course of their care. Some facilities may only accommodate patients in the initial stages of dementia. If you are searching for a permanent, long-term care facility, you want to choose a facility that provides care for patients during all stages of dementia.
For some patients, it may be important for the patient to have his or her own living quarters, especially during the initial stages of dementia. Discussing these preferences with your family member is important to facilitate a smooth transition to a care facility.
You need to discuss with the facility the methods it uses to keep residents secure and safe. Are there key codes for exterior doors? How are visitors screened prior to entry? Who has access to the residents’ rooms? In addition, you should also address personal safety concerns such as lighting, non-slip floor surfaces, handrails in the bathrooms, etc.
It is important to check the credentials of the person who will be in charge of performing cognitive and physical assessments for your loved one. You want to ensure that the person overseeing your loved one’s dementia treatment and care has the skills and experience necessary to treat patients at all stages of dementia. Also, you want to confirm that assessments are performed at regular intervals to ensure the proper steps are taken to care for and protect your family member.
Staff members are a crucial element of your loved one’s daily care. To ensure the safety and comfort of your loved one, you need a facility that hires staff members who have experience caring for dementia patients. Ask the facility about the training and educational requirements for staff members. In addition, you should look for a facility that has an RN, CNA, and LVN on staff. In an ideal situation, the staff-to-resident ratio should be no more than 1 to 7, especially for patients in the later stages of dementia. You should also ask about the screening process for staff members, including background checks.
In some cases, it may be necessary to restrain a patient for his or her safety. However, a patient should not be restrained because it is easier for the staff members. You should discuss the facility’s restraint policies thoroughly with the management and keep a very close check to make sure your loved one is not being restrained unnecessarily.
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