By Dave Weiman

It may seem an overwhelming task to find a suitable care provider for an elder, whether they are looking for home care, assisted living or skilled nursing. Many times the search is complicated by the fact decisions need to be made quickly due to a sudden illness or an imminent hospital discharge.

If possible, visit assisted living and/or skilled nursing homes before you need one.

Last month this column explored three of the questions that could be asked of a potential care provider that might help reduce the anxiety and also reveal the level of commitment to quality care and best care practices. Below are a couple more questions that will help the elder and/or their family gather important information, and also afford them a chance to enter into a more productive dialogue with the care provider.

1. Ask if all members of the staff have successfully passed a background check. And the emphasis is on ALL, not just the ‘front-line’ staff. Most providers are diligent about having the medical staff complete a background check, but it’s important to find out about the administrative and support staff, too. Receptionists, bookkeepers, laundry workers, maintenance workers, landscapers, drivers – everyone who has a job that includes interacting with residents or clients directly, or accessing their property, should have a current background clearance. As noted in last month’s column, having a medical staff with current certification indicates the provider is committed to quality care. Likewise, background checks for the full staff is an indicator the provider also values the safety and security of the residents or clients.

2. A Care Plan is designed to engage the provider’s staff, the resident or client, and the family in a systematic and continuing development of care goals and achievements. Regardless of the care setting – at home or in a Home – it is critical that an initial Care Plan be completed shortly after the care begins. Care providers should be able to give the inquiring elder or family member a sample of the Care Plan document. It would be beneficial to take the time to review the items included in the Care Plan in order to understand the information that will be required once care begins.   Ask about the schedule for Care Plan conferences and how the resident or client, and the family, are notified of the conferences. And determine the procedure for requesting a Care Plan conference in addition to those scheduled.  A provider who is intentional about Care Plans and makes them a dynamic and integral component of care, will generally employ other best care practices of elder care such as ‘consistent-staffing’ and ‘resident-choice’.

Go to www.carecompasspeoria.org

for more suggestions and guidance for finding quality elder care.

Dave Weiman is the founder of Care Compass, a free online site to assist elders and their families find Elder Care in the Peoria area. Dave has been engaged for over 10 years in improving the quality of care, so elders can enjoy a life of quality.