Nursing Homes - Just a Place to Die? Part II

Then and Now

The nursing home environment I remember from my teens when I would visit my Grandfather is a far cry from what I see today. Although the need for medical assistance, nursing staff and clinical equipment is still evident, many nursing homes are providing a vibrant, activity filled atmosphere for residents continued quality of life.

Each month a HUGE calendar is posted letting the residents and their families know the activities for the month. These activities range from arts and crafts, music, reading, movies, and live performances, to the invasion of pint size trick or treaters!

Patients are encouraged to be up and about the center with beds reserved for sleep, not spending the day in! As a result, many residents while still requiring 24 hour care also carry on fulfilling life activities. They can often be found listening to a reading in the common room, visiting with friends and family in the annex or participating in the weekly bingo in the cafeteria.

How to Pick a Nursing Home

There really isn't a sure fire method for picking a nursing home. Sometimes it just luck, sometimes I'd like to think divine intervention. Since both are things we don't have much control over, I thought I'd list a few things you can do.

• Volunteer - working as a volunteer at a center can give you keen insight into the workings and treatment offered there. This is also an enriching activity for you and the residents you meet.
• Ask Questions of the Staff - asking questions regarding staffing, treatment, hours, and activities are all good ways to find out how the center is operating.
• Ask questions of your neighbors - Word of mouth is still the best way to advertise a worthwhile product. If you know elderly people who may have been in a nursing home after hip or knee surgery, talk to them about their impressions about the care and services offered.
• Speak to a County Social Worker - Many social workers have knowledge about nursing facilities in the area. But don't count on them having intimate details; those will require your own research.
• Speak to your physician or your loved ones physician - Find out which nursing homes your or your loved ones physician will serve. It really helps to narrow the search, if you don't want to change physicians.
• Visit Multiple Nursing Homes - You can get a sense of the home and the staff when you participate in a walk through visit. You don't have to commit to them and you can obtain their information packet for your review. I recommend you also get the business card of the social worker you dealt with at each center. This aids in getting answers to questions in a timely manner.
  

These are just a few ideas and suggestions. I hope it helps in your search. I feel very fortunate in the placement of my father. But it was a very stressful time, dealing with my mother, running back and forth to the hospital and searching out nursing homes. I learned a long time ago that when you become a martyr and try to do it all yourself the only one that notices is YOU. So when family asked what they could do to help, I gave them a list! It made my life easier, gave them the opportunity to contribute, and brought us all closer together as a family.

Nursing Homes - Just a Place to Die?

Here We Go Again

This is the Wm. F. Middleton VA Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. On Thursday Oct. 19 my father was admitted and diagnosed with a broken hip. He was diagnosed with ospeoprosis due to long term Prednisone use. He takes Prednisone for his lungs, which are hardened like chunks of charcoal from long-term cigeratte use. He has approximatley 1/3 of his lungs still functional and lives on 2 liters of oxygen 24/7. Those reading this I hope you understand, quiting smoking is the second hardest thing to do, the first is living in a body destroyed by smoking.

When a patient only has a third of their lungs left there are great concerns in the use of anastesia for surgery. Should they use a lung machine to perform the surgery there is a good chance the lungs won't function on their own again after surgery. Dad made his wishes clear, before his dementia clouded his understanding, that he did not wish to live on machines.

Decisions

Well lucky me, I get to decide my father's fate and future. As his medical Power of Attorney I sign the papers to allow the surgey to be performed. This time the result is good, he comes out of surgery with his hip repaired, a stainless bolt and plate holding it together while it heals. They were able to perform the surgery with minimal anastesia and as a result Dad is breathing with his usual O2 and although groggy is awake less than an hour after surgery is complete.

The Next Step

Fast forward 9 days. I've found a nursing home located less than 10 miles from my Dad's home. This will allow my mother to visit daily and drive herself. Dad is transported via ambulance, with my mother riding along to reassure him, to his new home. He believes he is here to get therapy for his hip and he is. But what I must now decide is should he remain in the nursing home long-term. With my mother, now 77 and crippled with arthritis, unable to maintain 24 hour care for Dad, I believe the time has come to make this decision as well.

This is the 4th nursing home admission for Dad and it may be the last. I'll know more in a few weeks, it isn't something to be decided right this minute.

Kids These Days....No Time for Seniors

Kids These Days....

It is often said the younger generation seems so self-absorbed that they think of only themselves and have not time for seniors in their lives.

Let me fill you in on a different point of view. The High School where my son attends has a program called Y.O.S.T.; it stands for Young and Old Stick Together. Students in their senior year are matched with a senior citizen in the community. What for you may ask? Well, the answer is just about anything. The students get to know their senior. They visit once a week, helping with household chores, looking at photo albums, and often listening to stories of their seniors life in years past.

No Time for Seniors?

The students I've know who have participated in this program not only get to know their senior citizen; they often are unwilling to break off the relationship when they graduate. Many continue to correspond during their college year, sharing the changes in their life with their senior friend, and often find time to visit them while home from college.

The Result
The program builds character in these children, gives them community involvement (essential to college applications), and opens generational doors they would not have know with out such a program.

Many communities have such programs although they may go by different names. But it seems that building connections between young and old, in a society where grandparents are not guaranteed, seems to be benefiting the young and old alike.

What Kind of Help is Available?

In The System -- Low Income Senior Options

The maze of services offered to seniors is astounding. Many services are free or require only that participants meet the qualifications to participate. Some such as Meals on Wheels, which will deliver hot meals to a seniors home, for a minimal cost. But how do you search for such services, where do you start, and whom do you talk to?

Seniors and caregivers can locate many resources by calling their local Social Services Office. They can explain programs and qualification requirements. A few of the services found through Social Services are:

• Food Share Wisconsin


• Wisconsin Medicaid


• Prescription Drug Resource


• Senior Care

There are resources through various agencies that apply to special needs. The Alzheimer's Association has funding available for home health assistance, supplying Aide services to homebound seniors who can no longer bath themselves, or do household chores.

In The Community -- Options You Might Consider

If you have a one time project need, such as the construction of a wheelchair ramp or outfitting a bath with grab rails and other items to make a home safe for the senior citizen. I suggest checking with the local Boy Scout Troup or even the local High School as many encourage students in community activities and they will often assist by sponsoring it as a school project.

The nice thing is that like signing up for a free drawing and finding yourself on a mailing list for all kinds of things you do not want. Once the name of the person needing assistance makes it into the system, you will find that resources you did not know existed approach you and so that is a nice thing!