Which Illinois nursing home is the right one for your parent?

When the time arrived that you and your beloved parent determined it was best if he or she moved into an Illinois nursing home, you may have felt relieved yet worried at the same time. You know you won’t be able to visit your loved one as often as you’d prefer because you have a job and family obligations of your own. This is why you want to make sure the facility you choose provides consistent, high-quality care.

Sadly, nursing home abuse is a serious problem in this state and across the country. Just the thought of a licensed care provider mistreating your aging parent is likely enough to cause your stress levels to soar. There are several things to look for in a good nursing home. While keeping these issues in mind may help you choose a facility that’s a good fit for your mother or father, there’s no guarantee that he or she won’t suffer injury or illness.

It’s helpful to make a list

As you visit various Illinois nursing homes and interview staff members, it’s helpful to keep a list on hand that describes your parent’s greatest needs. For instance, if it’s important to your loved one to have the opportunity for religious activities, you’ll want to try to find a nursing home with a religious connection.

Does your parent suffer from dementia or other special needs? If so, then finding a facility that can handle such needs is a top priority. Maybe your mother or father has special dietary needs or wants to make sure his or her new residence provides ample opportunity for social activities. You can ask questions and make observations to help you find a nursing home that fits your loved one’s needs.

Medicare and Medicaid

These are two entirely separate programs. The latter program provides health coverage at both state and federal levels for those whose income falls beneath a specific amount. The former is a federal program that provides health coverage for those age 65 and older, or, in some cases, under age 65 if the person in question has a disability.

Not every nursing home accepts Medicaid payments. This is another reason it pays to interview officials at a prospective nursing home to make sure the facility accepts that coverage.

If something goes wrong

Perhaps, you visited three or more nursing homes before determining which facility best fits your parent’s needs. For the most part, it seemed clean, and the residents and staff members appear to interact in a peaceful, productive manner. Maybe your loved one seemed happy there for a while until things changed.

If something seems awry, such as soiled bed linens or increased irritability in your mother or father, you have every right to investigate the issue. Are you concerned about a bump or bruise your parent had the last time you visited? Did you find your loved one alone in a hallway when his or her records clearly state he or she needed supervision at all times? It’s important to know where to seek support if you believe your family member has suffered illness or injury because of nursing home abuse.