Placing a loved one in a nursing home is an important and often emotionally difficult decision. Above all, we want to ensure that we choose an establishment that meets both the care needs and the personal expectations of the future resident. Between the location criteria, the quality of the infrastructure and the services offered, several elements however play a crucial role in the selection of the ideal EHPAD. To guide you through this process and choose the most suitable placehere are some practical tips.
1) Choose an ideal location to facilitate visits from loved ones and keep your bearings
One of the first elements to consider is the location of the EHPAD. If the future resident comes from Seine-Saint-Denis, finding an EHPAD in Tremblay-en-France or another town close to their current accommodation would allow relatives living close to visit him regularly so as not to break ties and avoid the isolation often felt by elderly people in institutions. Being close to your former home can also contribute to reduce the stress of adaptation for the elderly person in question, allowing them to stay in a familiar geographical environment and maintain their habits as much as possible.
In addition to location, it is important to check the surroundings of the EHPAD pour ensure the quality of the living environment residents and also make visits more pleasant for friends, neighbors and family members who will provide regular emotional support: green spaces for walking, ease of access by transport, local shops for small daily errands, etc.
2) Assess specific needs and level of care required
In addition to location, the specific needs of the resident are a crucial criterion. It is essential to ensure that the establishment has a qualified personnel and of services adapted to the person’s state of health and expectations. For example, if your loved one suffers from cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, choose a nursing home that offers specialized support in this type of pathology. If this person is in a wheelchair, a location with excellent accessibility with easily passable sidewalks or walking areas will be crucial.
From one nursing home to another, you will quickly discover that the care services available vary enormously, ranging from daily medical assistance to cognitive and physical stimulation activities. To help you make your choice, it is therefore appropriate to visit several EHPADs and of ask specific questions about the type of follow-up offeredthe presence of nurses, doctors and the provision of special care. Likewise, if the resident has personal preferences such as cultural or sporting activities, make sure that this place offers activities that meet their interests to allow him to remain active and fulfilled.
3) Visit several EHPADs and observe the quality of the reception and infrastructure
Checking reviews online to ensure staff are caring and respectful is a possible first step. However, don’t stop there! Indeed, nothing replaces a physical visit to assess the general atmosphere of an EHPAD. As much as possible, try to fmake several visits to the place that you are considering and at different times of the day (morning, lunch, evening, etc.) to have the broadest possible vision.
This allows you to get a concrete idea of the places, the state of the infrastructure and the quality of the welcome. During visits, pay attention to the atmosphere that reigns in the common areas, the cleanliness of the rooms as well as the layout of the facilities (living spaces, activity rooms or even garden). Human relations within the EHPAD being essential, do not hesitate to interact with staff, residents and their families if possible for assess the friendliness and benevolence of the team.
Also remember to assess the costs and check the assistance available
The financial aspects should not be neglected to enable a adequate care Who takes into account the financial means of the family or resident. However, the cost of an EHPAD can vary greatly depending on the services included (care, activities, catering, etc.) and the level of comfort of the facilities. For example, some establishments offer optional services such as hairdressing or paramedical care as well as certain workshops which may involve additional costs. It is therefore appropriate tohave in mind all the costs and services included or not before committing.
In France, several financial aid are however available such as the APA (Personalized Autonomy Allowance) which can help to reduce costs. So remember to find out about these potential aids for make an informed choice without exceeding the planned budget.