How to Inspect a Nursing Home to Make Sure it's Right for You or Your Loved OneA recent article by AARP discusses several factors to consider when choosing a nursing home. Here is a brief synopsis. Inspect the grounds Are there outdoor sitting areas available and do the residents use them? Are dumpsters well concealed and relatively clean? Is it quiet or can you hear a lot of noise coming from traffic or some other source? Does it seemlike you or your loved one would find the area relaxing and a nice place to sit? Talk to residents Ask residents if they like living at the facility. You can ask about the food, what a typical day is like, if there are activities and outings for residents, and whether the facility sponsors events for family members. The facility might be beautiful, but make sure the residents seem well cared for and content. Talk to the staff Ask people working at the facility about their jobs and how they are managed. Try to find out if members of the staff know the residents' names and how long they have been working at the facility. High turnover, among staff or residents, is always a bad sign. You don't want to be overly aggressive, of course, but it's important to get a sense of the facility's culture and what the staff is like. Try the food Nursing homes are not in the business of providing haute cuisine, but the food should be appetizing, healthy and fresh. See for yourself by asking to have lunch or dinner with the residents. Use all of your senses In addition to tasting the food, use your ears and nose. Pause every so often during your visit and simply listen. Are the sounds you hear reassuring (such as laughter, conversation and music) or a cause for worry (excessive silence or indications of residents in distress)? What does the facility smell like? Is it well ventilated, fresh and clean, or musty and stale? Make sure the environment is safe Begin with the basics: Are there nonskid floors and handrails? Are walkways clear or are there wheelchairs and other obstructions that could lead to residents tripping and injuring themselves? Next, ask the staff about how the nursing home would respond to a natural disaster. Is there an adequate supply of food and water, and access to power, to cope with an extended emergency? Make a second visit during off-hours A guided, scheduled visit on a weekday will probably show the facility at its very best. But what happens on weekends and off-hours? Make sure the same sense of calm prevails, and staffing levels are adequate, when the facility is not on high alert. To read the entire AARP article about inspecting prospective nursing homes, visit https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/local/info-2017/nursing-homes-checklist.html |
Beware of These Two Scams Targeting Seniors |
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Approximately 20 percent of Americans over the age of 65 have been victimized by some form of financial abuse, with the average loss per victim exceeding $120,000. While financial abuse is sometimes perpetrated by family members or "friends," it is often the result of organized online and telephone scams. According to a recent study by Wells Fargo, nearly half of all seniors report that they know someone who has fallen victim to a scam. The Social Security Administration has issued a warning about scammers who pose as employees of the agency in an attempt to gather personal information about seniors. In one such scam, a senior receives a phone call with a recorded message claiming that his or her Social Security number has been suspended for suspicious illegal activity. The message provides a phone number that the person must call to rectify the problem and to prevent his or her assets from being frozen. The victim calling the number will be asked to provide personal information, which can then be used to steal his or her identity. In a similar scam, a "live" caller claims to work for the Social Security Administration and asks the victim to verify information such as his or her Social Security number, address and birthdate. Again, this information can be used to steal one's identity or for other nefarious purposes. According to the Social Security Administration, people should never provide personal information online or over the phone unless they are absolutely certain about the identity of the person who has contacted them. If you have questions regarding an email, phone call, text message or other form of communication from someone claiming to work for the Social Security Administration, you can find out if it is legitimate by contacting any Social Security office or calling the agency's toll-free number, 800-772-1213. |
A Personal Note from Tiffany O'Connell |
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Before it's time for a loved one to transition into assisted living or a nursing home, please reach out to us so that we can help you think through what you need to do and also help you find the right resources so that the transition can be as smooth as possible. The more lead time you have during this transition the better. This is always a very stressful time and you don't have to do it alone. We are here to help you...so just reach out when you need us. In the meantime, I hope you find the articles in this newsletter informative and helpful! Thanks for taking the time to read and reflect! Warmly, Tiffany O'Connell |
