No one wants to think about death or dying, let alone talking. However, planning ahead can be invaluable. This is where “end of life” care comes into the picture.
End of life ensures people in their last months or years of their lives live as comfortably as possible. It also provides all the support they need during their hardest times.
If you are unsure what end-of-life care is or how to choose the right nursing home care, don’t worry. In this article, we will discuss exactly that. Let’s get started.
What is End of Life Care Nursing?
End of life care nursing refers to caring for people with terminal conditions that have become progressive or incurable. It is for people in their last few months or years of their life, but this timeframe could be difficult to predict.
End of life care helps them live as comfortably as possible and allows them to die with dignity. A good life care nursing home offers emotional support to you, your family, and friends.
How to Determine If a Life Care Nursing Facility is Good for You?
1. Specialized Certification
Ensure that the nursing home’s staff members, including nurses, have specialized training and certification in end of life care. This ensures a higher level of care for you and your family.
Choosing a nursing home with certified professionals will also positively impact patients’ lives and make them as comfortable as possible.
2. Stellar Satisfaction Rate
Are the existing members of the medical nursing home happy? What their family members have to say about the facility? Most nursing homes ask their members to fill a satisfaction form that highlights how happy the members are (or were).
You can also talk to a few people living for a few months to understand if the nursing home can fulfill all your needs.
3. Multiple Facets of Support
Does the nursing home have the resources to take care of spiritual and psychological needs? Does it offer emotional support to your family members and friends?
Many life care nursing homes offer grief counseling for up to 12 months after the loss of your loved one. Additional supports are necessary as they help ensure all your and your loved ones’ needs are met.
4. Affordability
Money plays a major role in determining what services will be available to the end of life care patient. And, depending on the severity of your illness, the cost might increase.
For instance, if your loved one requires a ventilator, the cost will be higher than usual. While you would want your loved one to get the best possible services, it is essential to consider what you can afford.
5. Round the Clock Assistance
A quality end of life care nursing home should be able to quickly respond to any critical situations. Check if your medical nursing home has doctors and nurses available 24/7 to address your loved ones’ critical needs that may arise at any time.
Choosing the right end of life care facility is essential. It helps ensure your loved ones stay happy even in their last moments. Use the five-point checklist mentioned above to qualify the nursing home for your end of life stage.
