When a loved one has serious health problems or requires constant medical attention as a result of aging or illness, the question of how to get them into a nursing home frequently comes up. Nursing homes are the best option for family members of people who have medical conditions because the residents receive the best care from the skilled nurses who work there 24 hours a day. However, you will need to get the consent of the senior before they are admitted to a nursing home.
Putting your parent in a nursing home can be a challenge. Regret, guilt, and occasionally a sense of relief are common difficult feelings that come with the circumstance. Which nursing home should I pick? How can you successfully place a senior in a nursing home? Read on to get your answer.
How to Put Someone in a Nursing Home?
Conduct An Assessment
To prevent persons from being inappropriately placed in nursing homes, a preadmission screening and resident review (PASRR) is required of all persons prior to admittance into a Medicaid-funded nursing home. Potential residents of long-term care are subject to a federal requirement in which they are evaluated for intellectual disabilities (ID) and serious mental illnesses (SMI). For those who have needs related to SMI or ID, specific care needs are evaluated and the most appropriate setting (the least restrictive) to meet those needs is determined. Instead of being forced into a nursing home, some people might be able to receive long-term care services in their homes or local community thanks to a Medicaid waiver.
In order to be admitted to a Medicaid-funded nursing home, prospective residents must need the level of care provided by a nursing facility, regardless of the presence of SMI or ID. This pre-admission level of care screening might be combined with the PASRR or might be a separate review, depending on the state in which one resides. While the specific pre-admission review procedure varies from state to state, with some states having additional layers of entrance assessments, each state has a standard procedure. With the help of one’s state Medicaid agency, this procedure ought to be fairly simple to navigate.
Ask the Elderly About Their Wishes
The thoughts and feelings of the elderly loved one must be taken into account. Empathy is an integral part of the process, as one should want them to not only receive quality care at a nursing home but also high quality of life. Talk to your elderly loved one and give them the impression that they can decide where they want to go.
Visit and Evaluate Several Nursing Home
Try your best to bring your parent with you when you take tours of various facilities. Keep the vibe fun, light, and positive. As you tour each assisted living center or nursing home, try to do these things:
- Observe how the staff members interact with residents and visitors
- Observe the length of time cognitively- or physically-impaired residents are left alone
- Take note of how quickly staff members respond to urgent situations
- Find out if the facility provides appropriate care to residents with needs similar to your parent
- Spend time with other residents and visiting family members for their opinions of the facility
- Inquire in the kitchen about how they handle special dietary requirements. Try their meals for yourself
- Look into the facility’s security situation and whether the facility has a dedicated section for residents with dementia
- Take a look at the living quarters and envision how your mom or dad’s room could be decorated and furnished
- Find out the facility’s policies on how to handle medical emergencies.
- Discuss with the facility’s administrator about availability, cost, funding options, and the required steps for admitting your loved one
Get the Elderly Loved One on the Waiting List
The best nursing homes are frequently full; spaces only open up after a resident departs or passes away. Putting a loved one on the waiting list for a nursing home they are interested in will increase their chances of being accepted when a spot opens up.
Think of Medicaid for Funding
Are you wondering how to put someone in a nursing home without money? Possible solutions include Medicaid. Because the criteria vary from state to state, it is important to find out if Medicaid is offered in your state for nursing homes and how to qualify for it. The income thresholds for nursing home care have increased, so even though an elderly relative may not have previously qualified for Medicaid, that may have changed. As was previously mentioned, Medicare does not cover long-term care for nursing homes. US Aging provides a tool on their website to help seniors search for their local agency on aging. Services provided by the local agency on aging include:
- Information services
- Referral Service
- Transportation services for seniors
- Care and personal care for seniors in their homes
- Nutritional services
- Legal services
- Insurance
Agree on a Final Decision
Choosing a final plan is one of the last steps before placing someone in a nursing home. To go over all the details, have a face-to-face or video conference meeting with the important family members. Before, during, and after your loved one’s transition to a nursing home, take this opportunity to collaborate and decide how duties will be assigned.
It’s critical to keep in mind that each of you might possess varying skills, resources, and local availability. For example, those who live out of town may not be able to provide the same type of support as those who live close by.
Fortunately, staying connected doesn’t require being present physically thanks to modern technology. Many facilities enable residents to make video calls to distant family members.
What to Do If a Parent in Nursing Home Wants to Go Home?
- Ask reasons: To learn the reason for their desire to leave, try speaking with a loved one. Poor care, loneliness, an inability to get along with other residents, and issues with the food’s quality and variety are a few reasons why they might want to leave.
- Communicate with them: Empathy is essential; pay attention to the parent’s worries and grievances. A compassionate ear will help them feel heard and appreciated. Another benefit is that one can learn the real motivation behind their desire to leave the nursing home.
- Discuss the consequences: Parents may reconsider their decision if they are aware of the repercussions of leaving the nursing home. Tell them what they might miss if they return home and describe the advantages that nursing homes offer. Describe the duties of the caregiver and the difficulties in giving the patient the at-home care they require.
- Solve the problems: Discuss the parent’s concerns with the nursing home staff to see if there are any possible solutions.
Conclusion
The American Council on Aging advises following a set of steps before entering a nursing home: ascertaining the older loved one’s Medicaid eligibility; making a list of nursing homes that accept Medicaid as a form of payment; and getting a referral from the older relative’s primary care physician.
Finally, older family members should participate in the process as much as possible. It’s possible that you’ll be living in a nursing home for years to come.
FAQs
What to Do When a Parent Can No Longer Live Alone?
When a parent cannot manage daily tasks like meal preparation, safe bathing, housekeeping, laundry, answering the phone, managing medication, paying bills, or other daily activities necessary for healthy living, a long-term care facility or nursing home is advised as the best option.
Can a Hospital Put You in a Nursing Home?
A hospital or health care provider may “force” you into a care home if they believe you don’t have the mental capacity to make your own informed decisions. If you pose a threat to your well-being or the wellbeing of those around you, you may also be compelled to enter a care facility.
