Nursing Home Care- 5 Ways to Insure Better Care for your Family

Once you make the decision to choose a nursing home you might feel comfortable enough to relax. Well if you want good care for your family member you need to establish an atmosphere of accountability with the staff. I worked in nursing homes for 12 years and I am here to tell you, a little extra effort on the front end goes a long way. Here are five things that I have witnessed that encourage the staff to pay a little extra attention.

1. Be There On The Day of Admission - This is important because you want the staff to know that you will be a support to your family member. Even if you have to take the day off work. If you can't be there, send another family member who can. Nursing Homes are busy places and even on the day of admission staff can get busy and not give your family member the attention they deserve. Furthermore, Hospitals often rush older patients out of the hospital sometimes leaving personal items behind. By Being there the day of admission you can check to make sure the transfer from hospital is smooth and your family members new room is in order. It will also make it clear to the staff that someone is watching them.

2. Introduce Yourself To The Staff - While you are there on the day of admission seek out and introduce yourself to all the staff. Learn their names. When addressing a concern, you always get farther when you use someones name. If you are nervous about meeting new people simply say "Hello, I am Mrs. Smiths family member. I wanted to make sure you have my contact information if you need to talk to me." This communicates a very simple concept to the staff; I am here and I will be watching. By seeking out staff it communicates to them that you want to be involved in your family members care.

3. Dress Business Casual - The phrase "never miss a chance to make a first impression" definitely applies here. If you walk into the nursing home dressed in the clothes you clean the house in, you will not be taken seriously. Trust me people who are dressed nice give the perception that they are well organized and professional. This will garner more respect from the staff.

4. Let Them Do Their Job - A classic mistake I see families make is that they try to "help" out the staff. DO NOT make this mistake. Nursing Home staff are very busy and if you start doing their job for them, they will give less care to your family while you are there. They will think "the daughters visiting and she will help her Mom." When you take work from a busy person they will find other work to fill that time. You can help by letting the staff know when your family member needs help so they can do what the nursng home pays them to do, give care. Spend your time visiting your family instead of providing direct care.

5. Vary Your Visiting Times - If the staff doesn't know exactly when you will visit then they will have to prepare as if you could come at any time. Staff will prepare for a family if they know when you are coming. Go in on different days and times to visit. If you visit the same day at the same time, staff will prioritize their workload to take extra care of your family member that day. Sounds good but that may lead to a false perception about the quality of care being provided on the days you don't visit.

Remember healthcare is a service provided by humans and humans make mistakes. However, like the rest of us, staff will make less mistakes if they think someone is watching. Be polite and keep them guessing. You will have fewer concerns and get better results.