Who Wants to End Up in a Nursing Home? NO ONE!

As a long-term care consultant for seniors and their families I have visited many different types of facilities. But my favorite type of facility to visit is adult family homes.

There are over 2200 adult family homes in Washington State. Adult family homes have many things in common, but are each unique in their individual decor' and house size. Some are ultra fancy, some are tailored for country type folk, while some are modern and are bursting with color.

Each provider, like the differences you find in the decor of the homes is individual in their personalities. Some are laid back, others are very vivacious, you will find that some are calm, quiet houses, while others team with activity.

When you enter an adult family home the first thing you will notice is that the Adult family home smells wonderful. They take pride in making delicious homemade meals. Often times when you come into the homes you'll be greeted by the aroma of fresh baked bread, rolls, or muffins, not to mention the varieties of home made soups, baked chicken, roasts or casseroles, whose fragrance fill the air.

Adult family homes do not have overwhelming chemical smells like nursing homes. They have a smaller ratio of clients to serve and clients are cared for in a much timelier manner, reducing odors.

Since caregiver ratio is much smaller than in traditional institutional settings. (The caregiver to client ratio is 1:5 or 1:6) This gives the caregiver and the client much more individualized time together. Careful personalized attention can be given to the individual senior living in this care setting. Bathing, dressing, putting on lotion and powders, not to mention the warmed up bathroom and the occasional dryer warmed towels, for the client are all done in a manner that preserves the seniors dignity. Often times I hear caregivers laughing with their residents while giving them a shower, I have even heard some singing.

Many seniors bring their furniture from home, pictures from their living room walls, bedspreads, photo albums, their own beds even. Having a piece of home with them helps them to feel more at home. I have been in several adult family homes that even paint the rooms the residents' favorite color. Of coarse the amount of furniture you can bring depends on the size of the room.

Seniors don't have to share rooms in adult family homes. But if they choose to do so, adult family home providers are careful to ensure that there is a good match with the roommate. If you prefer your own private bathroom some adult family homes offer those too.

Activities in the home are individualized to meet each senior's preferences. Some seniors enjoy more activities and are encouraged to visit the senior centers, go on outings, attend church, or other social clubs, do light cooking and gardening. While other seniors enjoy a good book, watching TV, visiting with the caregivers (there is actually a lot of time for this) or just watching the birds through the kitchen window.

Caregivers have a chance to get to know each client's individual tastes. If a client doesn't particularly like roast beef, accommodations will be made. You don't find nursing homes that will change a meal based on a single client's wish. Many adult family homes have their residents help with the menu planning, so everyone gets to participate. Snacks are purchased with the specific individuals in mind. Each aspect of the care is tailored to the individual.

Perhaps the most important thing of all is that caregivers are with your loved one for more than just a shift. There is continuity of care. The person, who manages your loved ones care in the home, is more than likely the one who sleeps in the bedroom right next to them at night. The relationship becomes more personalized. Changes in the clients' status are detected earlier, because a caregiver has taken time to notice. The staff turnover is very minimal. A senior feels more comfortable confiding health problems with a friend rather than a staff member that he doesn't really know.

I could continue, because there are so many more things that make an adult family home a wonderful choice for long term care. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us.

I hope this helps! Renee

Renee "Dutchy" Reeves is an Elder Care Consultant with over 10 years of working with the elderly and their families. Her online advice column, "Ask Dutchy" provides practical ideas and advice for assisting the elderly with Alzheimer's disease, Dementia, Parkinson's, disability, and those needing long term care. See other articles by her at http://www.askdutchy.mycarelink.net

Ontario nursing homes poorly staffed, more likely to restrain ...
The Canadian Press, TORONTO - 6 hours ago
"None of these people are going to be cured," said Armstrong, adding a complete philosophical overhaul of the province's elder-care system is needed. ...

CARE 'A+', 'PR1+' to Elder Pharmaceuticals bank loans
Economic Times, India - 17 hours ago
MUMBAI: - CARE has reaffirmed 'PR1+' rating to the commercial paper programme of Elder Pharmaceuticals Ltd aggregating to Rs 75 crore (enhanced from Rs 50 ...

Opinion: Nursing homes do care
Brookline TAB, MA - Jul 2, 2008
... result of an injury, illness or the inability to live safely at home without complete care and support of professionals familiar with elder care issues. ...

Britain's Pathway to Euthanasia - NHS Protocols for Dehydrating ...
Lifesite, PA - Jul 3, 2008
... method of euthanising elderly and disabled patients, even while "mercy killing" remains officially illegal, says a prominent expert in elder care. ...

Call for regulation of elderly care workers after gagging
Wairarapa Times Age, New Zealand - 21 hours ago
By Nathan Crombie The gagging of a rest home resident in Auckland has sparked an urgent Wairarapa call to regulate elderly care workers nationally to ...

The forgotten Ummah: Confronting the needs of Muslim seniors
Southern California InFocus, CA - 16 hours ago
... for older parents at home is no longer viable and are increasingly turning to elder care facilities and nursing homes to discharge this sacred trust. ...

The new idea in elder care: Membership
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - Jun 21, 2008
At a time when so much of the nation's debate about its aging population focuses on paying for care, Christian and the program's boosters are asking an ...

Omega Healthcare to acquire Haven Eldercare facilities
Bizjournals.com, NC - Jun 30, 2008
The move is the result of another company's decision to terminate its agreement to acquire Haven Eldercare, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection ...
Lawyers Want Takeover Of Haven Nursing Homes Till Buyer Found Hartford Courant
all 6 news articles

Veterans health hearing set for Thursday
Biloxi Sun Herald,  USA - Jul 2, 2008
... on Veterans Affairs will discuss Thursday in Tupelo the using of the Green House concept of elder care in the national health system for aging veterans. ...

News-Times
Elder care corporations tough to pin down
News-Times, OR - Jun 25, 2008
By Christian Gaston And Lee Van Der Voo Forest Grove lawyer Tim Marble says complex organizational structures make filing lawsuits against care facilities ...

Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

What You Need to Know About Helping Senior Citizens