Sometimes taking care of your senior parents isn’t always the easiest transition. Some may require full-time help, others might be independent and only need help with a few errands. For those senior loved ones that need full-time care, as a result of dementia or mobility, and other health conditions, then a board and care facility is helpful.
Before making any permanent decisions, find out whether their senior health insurance covers the expenses for board & care facilities. This will help you determine the finances needed.
Not all medical insurances cover this type of care, and some may have certain terms and conditions as to what gets paid and what is out of pocket.
How to tell if a board & care facility is a good or bad one?
Unfortunately, bad facilities do exist, and doing some background research is vital. In some cases, you might not have been able to see the signs before having them stay on the premises.
You have to make sure that your senior parent is in a safe, caring facility where they are looked after and not mistreated.
The following might be signs and red flags to watch out for in a bad board and care facility.
They don’t want specific people taking care of them
Your loved one might not want to be taken care of by nurse XYZ. Perhaps they don’t feel comfortable under that person’s care due to whatever is going on behind closed doors.
You might notice bruise marks
Bruises can happen as a result of falls and other injuries and also as a result of mishandling or physical abuse. If you see new bruises appearing on your senior parent then you know something bad might be going on.
Rates drastically and frequently increase
This might be a sign that the finances of the board and care facility might not be healthy and this is a bad sign, especially if they ought to be established. Funds might be misused, and not going to the actual course they were meant to go to.
Signs of malnourishment and dehydration
Another bad sign that your elderly parent is in the wrong care is seeing signs of dehydration and malnutrition. While you may not be able to visit on a 24/7 basis, on the days that you are there you could notice that the seniors are not looked after where their diet is concerned.
They become anxious when certain people enter the room
While not all folks may be inclined to speak about what’s really happening behind closed doors, you may want to check for yourself. If your senior parent becomes nervous, anxious, and uncomfortable when certain people are in close parameters then this person might be doing something wrong.
Finding good help for your elderly loved one shouldn’t impart a negative response. Instead, it was aught to bring ease of living, peace of mind, and comfort in the fact that all is well. There are some resources to help.
Conclusion
It’s better to do some searching and homework before booking your senior parent into one of these board & care facilities. As mentioned, it might not always be possible, or problems only surface when they are already settled in.
It’s always a good idea to pay a personal visit to the facilities and see what’s happening on the inside before deciding on a permanent choice.
Looking out for the above cues will help to avoid traumatic experiences and it will give your family peace of mind.