7 Mistakes Families Make When Looking For Senior Care
Oct 18, 2018
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They take facility operators at their word.
Its a regrettable situation, but operators and marketers of assisted living centers are sometimes under considerable pressure to keep their facilities full. This can lead to misrepresenting the facts. For instance, some may say their facilities are skilled at caring for dementia residents, when the truth is that they have very little experience.
They make a choice because it seemed good for someone else or looking at only one facility.
Facilities differ greatly in their skills and amenities. A place that is good for one person isnt necessarily a good fit for another. Your friends mother can be doing well at her facility, but she may have needs much different than your loved one.
They choose by appearance alone.
Its shockingly common for expensive facilities that look wonderful to be cited for violating regulations. So, the history of their care and not their beauty should be your goal.
They listen to the advice of experts in other fields.
Your doctor or social worker is no doubt an expert in what they do, but they dont have much time to research assisted care and nursing facilities. Often what they know is from word-of-mouth. If you get a recommendation from them, as how often theyve visited the facility and whether they have actually researched the facilitys state survey record.
They make their decision based on pressure from the marketing personnel.
Some marketing representatives have been trained in pushing you to choose their facility. You dont deserve any pressure at all during this difficult process.
They make their decision based on guilt.
Having to make this decision is difficult. Too many time families chose assisted living facilities that they would like, this is not necessarily a good decision for their loved one. For example, you may like that they facility has a pool table or a swimming pool, but your loved one may not care to play pool or go swimming. Choose a place that will be best choice for your loved one, not just one that you like.
They think that all the facilities are created equal.
All facilities are not created equal. Not all facilities can care for your mother or father. They may all hold the same license type, but they are all different and this is a big decision for you and your loved one. Editors Note: This article was submitted by Randy Chipman, CSA, MBA. Randy is a Certified Senior Advisor with Care Patrol of Utah and may be reached at 801-717-9328 or by email at:RandyC@CarePatrol.com
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