Instructions
1. Find a nursing home near your home. Ask about costs, insurance coverage, patient to staff ratio, staff turnover and job satisfaction. Tour the facility and watch for signs of patient neglect: urine smell, patients who are left for lengthy periods alone in their beds or wheelchairs or patients with food on their faces, hair or clothing.
2. When moving the resident in, bring as many familiar and beloved belongings as space allows. Hang pictures on walls and bulletin boards. Use comfortable, attractive bed linens. Store favorite, comfortable clothing in the closets and dressers. If diet allows, store small treats in a nightstand drawer
3. Visit often, at least weekly. Frequent visits let the resident know that someone truly cares for his well being and breaks the daily routine. During each visit, watch for signs of neglect or abuse. Report any concerns to the nursing home staff, health department or police, as the situation warrants.
4. Volunteer. Ask the nursing home staff where volunteers are needed and offer your services. Nursing home jobs are demanding, and help is always appreciated. Offer to help with activities and outings. Offer to watch over a patient while a staff member runs a quick errand, such as answering a call light.
Note: Do not give patient care (such as transferring or ambulation) without experience. Improper handling is unsafe for the patient and can lead to a lawsuit.
5. Show appreciation to the staff. Nursing home staff members are often poorly paid. (For example, the median hourly wage for a certified nursing assistant was $10.67 in 2006, yet she may care for up to 15 patients per shift.) Show your appreciation for how the staff cares for your loved one. Suggestions include flowers, small trinkets or gift cards.
Tags: nursing home, home staff, appreciation staff, Nursing home, watch signs