Alzheimer’s care in Lakewood, Colorado is now available at Applewood Our House.
When an elderly loved one needs long-term care, it is usually up to their immediate family to provide answers and solutions. Generally speaking, it is usually a decision that is long lasting and should be taken seriously by everyone involved.
Locating a memory care home that meets the sophisticated long-term health needs of our aging population, especially those with Alzheimer’s and dementia, can be a real challenge. It is important to scrutinize your options and learn as much as you can about a home before you decide to sign the dotted line for your own care or for the care of a loved one.
Tips on What to Look for in a Memory Care home in Golden, or Lakewood Colorado
Here are some ideas that you should add to your checklist when searching for a long-term placement for your loved one:
* Tour the Facility – Taking a physical tour of the facility is a must. This can be time consuming, and although you won’t get a comprehensive analysis unless you make multiple visits, you can request a copy of the facility’s policies and procedures document in advance so as to assist you in making an informed choice. At Applewood Our House we love to have visitors and would love to have you come by and join us for a meal. You are welcome to stop by at any time – no appointment is necessary.
* The Perfect Fit – You should choose a home that provides the type of long-term care that fits the needs of your loved one. To accomplish this, you need to find out about the admission requirements. These usually are laid out in fairly simple terms about the overall services they provide, and what is required of potential residents.
* Staff to Resident Ratio – Find out about how many employees and residents they have. Obviously, the fewer residents a long-term care facility has, the more attention your loved one is likely to receive. When employees are not overworked, they are more likely to provide better care.
* Zero Abuse Policy – It is necessary to move into a facility that can ensure you that it is safe from resident abuse. You need to be very vigilant in checking with your loved one about abuse, and you should visit often to get updates from employees at the facility.
* Safeguards against Negligence – You need to know if residents are kept under continuous surveillance, so they are protected against wandering. The facility should be very secure in that respect.
* Privacy – Your loved one should have as much privacy as possible. Naturally, safety overrides privacy, but the privacy rights of residents needs to be respected at all times.
* State Regulated – Make sure that the facility you choose complies with federal and state regulations.
* Reasonable Costs – The cost of long-term care can be staggering. It’s a good idea to check if a facility is accepting Medicare. If it is Medicare certified, then you can use your long-term care insurance policy to help offset the costs. This can help save your family a lot of money over the years.
* Well-Trained Staff – It mostly comes down to how well your caregivers are trained to respond to seniors needs. A highly trained staff can really make the difference during life and death situations. The staff at Applewood Our House in both Lakewood and Golden have been extensively screened and trained and are the cream of the crop when it comes to care giving.
What to Look for in a Memory Care Home – Conclusion
At the end of the day, you are more likely to find a long-term care option that fits the needs of your family and your loved one by comparing homes. Therefore, it is going to take a little bit of investigation and time, but in the end, you will finally make the right choice. If you are not clear about what kind of assisted living or memory care home you need in Lakewood, Colorado, don’t hesitate to call us or stop by for a visit and we can discuss your concerns and needs.
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