a caregiver

5 THINGS TO EXPECT FROM A CARE PROVIDER

By Kym Voorhees Raque

When an older loved one needs extra care, deciding what that care looks like can be stressful. Will in-home nursing care work for your family and budget, or is a nursing home the best option? Once you have a plan in place and your loved one is settled, you may think your work is done, but according to experts, this is where the real work begins. To ensure your loved one is getting proper care, you need to be vigilant and communicate openly and often with their care providers.

1 | OPEN COMMUNICATION

It’s important to communicate with those providing care and let them know what you expect and what you want your loved one’s care to look like, says Zachary Cattell, president of the Indiana Healthcare Association/Indiana Center for Assisted Living. Be honest about their condition and any physical or mental limitations. Betsy Johnson, president/executive director of the Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities and Kentucky Center for Assisted Living, recommends developing a care plan with your loved one and the care providers. Be specific and make sure everyone agrees to the plan and what is expected, then hold the providers accountable to the plan, she says.

2 | CONTACT DURING FACILITY CLOSURES

During the pandemic, longterm care communities have severely limited contact with residents for their safety. “Longterm care communities should help you maintain contact if you are unable to visit, either via phone, video conference such as FaceTime, or other means,” Johnson says.

Carrie Orman, executive director, Kentuckiana Stroke Association, says, “Get to know your loved one's caregiver or someone in the community who you can count on to check in on them and get information from them on how your loved one is functioning."

In home health situations, communicate the needs of your loved one and your expectations to the caregiver, Johnson says.

For families living out of town it can be especially stressful.

“If you’re unable to visit regularly, contact the long-term care ombudsman at the facility and check in with them frequently,” Johnson says.

3 | SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Caregivers should provide daily activities that engage the mind and body and give your loved one something to look forward to, Orman says.

“You want to see residents out of their rooms and active. If they’re always in their rooms that may be a sign that something’s not right,” Johnson says.

Cattell says to ask providers what types of activities and

social engagements are provided while facilities are under pandemic restrictions.

4 | CLEAN, WELL-MAINTAINED ROOMS, COMMON AREAS

Families should see the facility ahead of time and make sure to see resident rooms, including the room they may be assigned to, says Dan Heins, president, Parkinson Support Center of Kentuckiana. He says to check for head rails and handrails on the beds and cleanliness of the rooms. He also recommends sampling the food for quality and healthiness.

5 | QUICK RESPONSE TIMES

“You need to make sure calls from the bedside or bathroom are answered quickly by attendants. You never know what the call will be for. Patients should not have to wait 10 or 15 minutes for help in the bathroom,” Heins says. Today’s Woman / November 2020 71