How to Make a Smooth Transition to a Nursing Home

With the care of an elderly loved one, it can be hard to know what is best for them. At some point, you may feel like transitioning your loved one to a nursing home. However, this can be a difficult transition and it might not always be the right decision. To start off with, here, healthcare executive Ephraim Zagelbaum shares some tips for making the transition as smooth as possible and getting the best-quality care for your loved one.

Why is a transition to a nursing home important?

Many seniors are living longer than ever before. In turn, this has led to an increase in the number of Americans over the age of 65. Knowing that seniors will be living longer, there is a need for more designated care facilities where they can live out their days in comfort.

The transition to a nursing home can be difficult and it can cause emotional stress on everyone involved. To make the transition easier, here are some tips offered by nursing home owner Ephraim Zagelbaum:

1) Determine what your loved one's needs are

2) Come up with a plan for meeting those needs

3) Understand the benefits of a nursing home

4) Plan ahead for any emergencies

5) Stay positive about your loved one's future

What you should expect when making this transition

Planning for a loved one's care is important. It will help you and your loved one understand the expectations so that there are no surprises. For example, it is important to know exactly what happens during the nursing home admission process and what will happen when they are discharged from the facility.

Additionally, remember that transitioning your loved one can be a long-term commitment. With this in mind, take some time to find out about the facilities at which you'll be admitting your loved one. Learn about the quality of care offered and whether the facility meets your family's needs and expectations.

The other thing to keep in mind is that change can be difficult for your loved one too. Let them know ahead of time what you intend to do with them so that they feel prepared and aren't caught off guard by this transition.

Questions to ask your loved one before moving them to a nursing home

Before you decide to put your loved one into a nursing home, there are plenty of questions that need to be answered. When it comes to your loved one's care, it is important to ask them the following questions:

Can they still live independently?

Will they enjoy living in a nursing home?

Do they want their personal belongings with them when they go in or can they make other arrangements?

Are they able to pay for their own care?

Do they want housekeeping services available?

Do they have transportation needs?

Questions to ask the nursing home before moving in

Before you make your decision to move your loved one into a nursing home, Ephraim Zagelbaum recommends asking these questions:

What are their hours of operation?

Is there someone on staff 24-hours a day to take care of the patient?

Can I have my own personal visiting time with my loved one?

Do they offer specific range-of-motion exercises?

What is their facility like? What amenities do they offer?

What are the minimum and maximum age requirements for being admitted?