A third article relating to eldercare in today's San Luis Obispo Tribune is titled "How To Find a Quality Assisted Living Facility". To learn more about assisted living and long term care options for the elderly contacting your local ombudsman service is recommended. The article is relevant for people living outside of the area as well, because issues of finding quality care are universal.
Additional resources for information about long term care options and quality are listed and costs are discussed.
In San Luis Obispo County residential care homes are described as averaging $4,000 per month or more. A residential care home differs from a larger facility because the residential care home often has 10 beds or less and may be in an adapted house.
The residential homes often offer a warm, friendly family style environment. But, another article in the Tribune explains they may only be inspected once in five years unless there are complaints. Some of the homes are recommended as fantastic and others have had serious complaint issues.
The growth of the number of small residential long term care homes in the county shows the popularity of these smaller facilities. People who are looking for long term care can ask questions about the type of training the staff has received, the ratio of aides to residents, and the emergency response procedures. They can also ask questions regarding medication logbooks, daily care notes, care plans, and the amount of experience that the supervisiors and aides have had with caregiving.
If an employee calls in sick, what plan does the home have to provide for staffing the position?
Other questions might include asking how long a resident has to wait for help, and how much time per shift does the aide have for each person. Is this the aide's first job providing personal care assistance?
There is also the option of hiring paid caregivers from an agency to provide assistance in the senior's own home. Independent caregivers are available also, but as discussed in other posts, insurances, background checks, payroll and supervision will be the responsibility of the client.
Showing posts with label retirement homes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label retirement homes. Show all posts
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Front Page Today's Paper: "Is the Quality of Elder Care in Jeopardy"
The front page story today on the San Luis Obispo Tribune asks "Is the quality of elder care in jeopardy?" The article starts with the story of a woman at a local facility who died from complications from a diabetic condition. State officials found the facility had "insufficient and unqualified staff" who failed to monitor a diabetic condition.
The questions about the quality of elder care are being asked all over the world, as this topic grows in importance with the aging of populations and changes in society.
The small facilities, like the one described above, are said in the article to be often less expensive and less restrictive. Many of them are wonderful, home style settings where a house has been adapted for use as a board and care facility.
The less restrictive aspect of the small board and care homes that offer assistance to frail seniors also means they are not inspected regularly. The article said that unless there is a complaint the small homes might only be inspected once every five years.
The article said in 1998 San Luis Obispo County had fewer than 40 small board and care homes and now there are 74 with 10 beds or less. The trend for more facilities to keep up with the growing demand is expected to continue as the population ages.
For information about local facilities, recommendations, and violations you can call the local ombudsman services where you live. The long term care ombudsman, as discussed in other posts at this blog, is a person who investigates complaints and is there to help you find quality care. This official is familiar with the inspections, violations, and quality of local facilities.
The questions about the quality of elder care are being asked all over the world, as this topic grows in importance with the aging of populations and changes in society.
The small facilities, like the one described above, are said in the article to be often less expensive and less restrictive. Many of them are wonderful, home style settings where a house has been adapted for use as a board and care facility.
The less restrictive aspect of the small board and care homes that offer assistance to frail seniors also means they are not inspected regularly. The article said that unless there is a complaint the small homes might only be inspected once every five years.
The article said in 1998 San Luis Obispo County had fewer than 40 small board and care homes and now there are 74 with 10 beds or less. The trend for more facilities to keep up with the growing demand is expected to continue as the population ages.
For information about local facilities, recommendations, and violations you can call the local ombudsman services where you live. The long term care ombudsman, as discussed in other posts at this blog, is a person who investigates complaints and is there to help you find quality care. This official is familiar with the inspections, violations, and quality of local facilities.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Facilities Offer Assistance from Independent to Total Care
You can visit http://www.longtermcarelink.net/ for information about a variety of options for care.
A wide range of personal care assistance can be found at assisted care facilities. For example, independent living can offer living in a seperate apartment, condo, or studio with meals available at a central dining room.
Partial assisted living can offer personal care attendants who are available at the call of a button. A skilled nursing facility can offer licensed nurses 24 hours per day.
Some facilities have a variety of options at one location. If someone starts out in the independent living section a move can be made later to a section that will provide more assistance.
Small facilities or private homes that have been converted to assisted care might have half a dozen seniors or so and personal care aides in a home style setting.
A wide range of personal care assistance can be found at assisted care facilities. For example, independent living can offer living in a seperate apartment, condo, or studio with meals available at a central dining room.
Partial assisted living can offer personal care attendants who are available at the call of a button. A skilled nursing facility can offer licensed nurses 24 hours per day.
Some facilities have a variety of options at one location. If someone starts out in the independent living section a move can be made later to a section that will provide more assistance.
Small facilities or private homes that have been converted to assisted care might have half a dozen seniors or so and personal care aides in a home style setting.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
