When Is It Time To Go On a Nursing Home's Waiting List?

Seniors don't always want to admit to loved ones that their health has declined to the point that it may be cause for concern. And ultimately that silence may keep them living in an environment not well suited for their maturing bodies and minds. Because health declines over time it is often hard for friends and family members to see what capabilities have been lost, making it difficult to see what daily challenges the senior faces and what measures the senior has to use to meet those challenges. 

 

Typically there are warning signs to indicate a problem is on the horizon: a senior will begin to have slips and falls, burns, cuts and bruises, or the occasional broken bone from simple, everyday tasks. These signs should indicate that a change in living circumstances may be forthcoming. At the onset of any of these signs, it is a very good idea to begin looking for a Skilled Nursing Facility (often referred to as a Nursing Home), even if the senior has indicated that they have no intention of ever setting foot in one.  

Most people will agree that living in a Skilled Nursing Facility is not their ideal destination of choice. But take into account that most people who are in Skilled Nursing Facilities are there because that is where they need to be.  Many facilities are full due to such high demand and low bed availability because Skilled Nursing Homes can't just add more beds as they are needed. Each state establishes a set number of beds to control its occupancy and reimbursement rate. In some areas the waiting lists can be substantially long, making it difficult to find something in a pinch.

 

Talk to the seniors to see if they already have a facility preference. Many older adults have heard of negative or positive experiences from other seniors. A senior may have friends that are in a particular facility; it can help to ease the stress of transitioning if a senior has familiar faces to come home to.

If the senior doesn't have a preference, or if the preference isn't a good option, then the next step is to decide where, what city or area of town, you'd like the skilled Nursing Facility to be located. Take into account who will be visiting the senior regularly so the senior won't end up too isolated from friends and family.

Once you have established a location, you can use Senioridy's easy Skilled Nursing Map search to explore all of the providers in that area. You can compare the facilities side by side to see who has the amenities and features you need. You can then save your favorite facilities to a list. If you have other family members that you need to consult or coordinate with you can easily send the list to them to look over.

 

After finding about a half dozen viable Skilled Nursing options call around to friends and family to see if anyone you know has had good or poor personal experiences with the facilities on the list. Once you have a list of facilities that you feel relatively confident about call the facilities on the list to arrange a tour of each one.

During your call with each facility make sure to ask any important questions that you have to prevent wasting time touring a facility that is not a good match. Good questions to ask are:

• Special needs that have to be addressed

• Availability of  medical care, personal care (hair and nails), social services, mental health services, religious services

• Costs and payment methods for residency and services

• Their procedures for handling complaints/issues

• Transportation services 

• Food choices and special diet considerations

• Social activities

• If there is a waiting list

• How long is the list (in approx time)

• If there is a cost to be added to the list

• What happens if your name comes up but you aren't ready

• What are the touring procedures?

 

Once you've called around you may find your list getting smaller. Generally, there will be one or two selections that you find just don't fit your needs well. Once the list has been whittled down to really good choices you will need to make arrangements to tour each facility. The tour will tell you a lot about the facility.  Some things to observe while you are touring:

• The Residents look clean, happy, groomed and appropriately dressed

• all staff are wearing name tags and they seem happy, polite and nice to the residents

• The building outside and parking area is well maintained and the building inside is well maintained and well furnished and decorated

• It is not too bright or dim, too loud, does not have bad odors, and is a comfortable temperature

• Resident's rooms can be decorated with their own furnishings and décor when possible

• The dining area is pleasant, meals are warm when served, and the staff is friendly and helpful during the meal

• Bathrooms are clean and well-maintained, bedside toilets are clean

• Residents have regularly scheduled social activities and they participate in them

• Common areas can be easily accessed and are being utilized frequently by residents

 

Once you have narrowed it down to your first and second favorite choices you need to discuss your choices with the senior if you feel like the senior is open to the discussion. (Sometimes they just aren't.) Next, you will need to go through the steps that the facilities require of you so that you can be added to their waiting list. Typically there will be a cost associated with getting on the list. It is a good idea to get on more than one waiting list as your need may arise before the facility of your choice has an opening. It is best to have at least one good backup in case this happens.

The Senior Facility market has improved tremendously over the years. More money is spent now than in the past to make residents feel like they are in a warm, comfortable, and inviting environment. But with all of the improvements within the industry, Skilled Nursing Facilities still suffer from a high employee turnover rate. While this is certainly not true of every facility out there, the industry as a whole does cycle through staff fairly regularly. 

So, if you are on a waiting list it is a good idea to check back with the administrator to ensure that your name is still on the list and how far down the list you are. Sometimes internal communications can break down and it is not uncommon to "fall off" of a waiting list. Checking periodically will help to ensure your place in line should the need arise.

We can't emphasize enough that, try not to delay the selection process while time is on your side. If something happens unexpectedly you will be ready with a choice and a clear understanding of what the next steps will be. That alone is priceless when it comes to managing the care of a senior loved one.