When choosing a nursing home, it is important to know the difference between a nursing home and a nursing home. Barbados Nursing Homes typically provide short or long-term nursing care in private or semi-private rooms, including meals, activities, and personal care. Barbados nursing homes are required to have a registered nurse on duty at all times. Barbados nursing homes provide short- or long-term nursing care (assisted living) in private or semi-private rooms, including meals, activities, and personal care, but do not require a registered nurse at all times. However, a registered nurse must be on call when required in a nursing home. The differences between a nursing home and a nursing home do not necessarily define the quality of care, but basically help you identify the level of care that you or your family member may need.
Choosing a nursing home or nursing home can be stressful for you and your loved ones. It is helpful to plan ahead and understand the level of care that may be required. You should visit and compare a variety of nursing care facilities or have someone visit and compare them for you. Make good financial plans early. Planning ahead gives you and your family more control and can help ensure your short- or long-term care needs are met. Both Barbados Nursing Homes and Barbados Nursing Homes provide care for older people who are no longer able to care for themselves at home due to physical or other health-related problems.
Steps to choose a nursing home or nursing home in Barbados that meets your needs:
1. Find out about the different services that the establishment provides.
2. Find out how the facility compares in quality.
3. Visit the center you are interested in, or ask one of their registered nurses to visit your family member for an assessment.
4. Choose the facility that best meets the needs of you and your family member.
5. Ask others you know who have a friend or family member at the facility you are reviewing if they are or were satisfied with the quality of care they received at the nursing home or nursing home.
Although you or your loved one may consider the clean appearance of a nursing home or nursing home, new paint, gleaming floors, or lush surroundings are not indicators of quality care. Quality care comes from the people who work at the center. You will recognize a well-run nursing home or nursing home by the way you are greeted at the entrance and the way management expresses compassion for your needs. If you are unable to visit the facility yourself, you may wish to have a family member or friend do it for you.
Take a formal tour:
• Make an appointment and visit the nursing home or nursing home.
• Trust your senses. If there is a frigid atmosphere upon entering or you don’t have the homey and cozy feeling that you would expect in such an environment; then reconsider.
• Take a formal tour of the nursing home or nursing home with the supervising staff member.
• Look around you to get a better idea of the services, activities available and the level of personal care of the residents.
• Look for guard rails in hallways, bed rails, and grab bars in bathrooms.
• Do the nursing assistants seem to genuinely appreciate the residents?
• Do you see staff smiling or chatting with residents?
• Is the living environment noisy and confusing or is it easy on the eyes and ears?
• Do you hear any laughter?
• Do you hear someone singing?
• Is the television at full volume or the ringtones sound annoying?
• Are paths and toilets kept clear of obstacles?
• Do lunch plates still look dirty after 4:00 pm?
• Is the kitchen screened to maintain a clean environment?
• Does the temperature of the room(s) feel too hot?
• Are there air-conditioned areas or fans?
• Use your sense of smell to detect any unpleasant odors, keeping in mind that at any time some of the residents may be incontinent.
Ask questions during your tour:
• Ask questions that can help you compare the nursing home or nursing home.
• What services does the care center offer?
• Ask nursing assistants how long they have worked at the facility.
• Does the care center have a current license issued by the Ministry of Health?
• Are staff members certified by the Barbados Board of Nursing?
• Do you charge a basic rate for room, meals and personal care?
• Do they charge extra for other services or care for special medical needs?
• Ask about how long the care center has been in business
• Ask to see the residents’ living spaces (private or multiple occupancies), hallways, stairs, lounge, bathrooms, dining room, menus, laundry services, activity plan, and personal care plan.
• Is a computer, fax machine, or email available for rapid transmission and receipt of important information?
• Are intake forms, residents’ personal appliance forms, residents’ personal and valuables forms, leave of absence forms, nursing plan of care, medication charts, and records available? resident housing agreement forms, etc.?
• Is there a contract that clearly explains the terms and conditions of the services offered?
• Ask where medications are stored to make sure they are kept safe.
• Ask about emergency plans and procedures for patients who are sick.
• Ask about emergency plans and procedures that apply to hurricane preparedness.
The most important factor is the staff. The nursing director or administrator sets the tone for the facility. She or he must demonstrate a sense of compassion, good organizational and interpersonal skills. Those with poor social skills cause high employee turnover. Talk to nursing assistants to see if they like working with management and residents. A knowledgeable and friendly nursing staff is the key to good care.
Current licenses and insurance (property and liability)
Although a current license from the Barbados Ministry of Health may not reflect the true nature of the facility, ask to see it. By law, the institution must operate with a valid license issued by the Ministry of Health, as well as property and civil liability insurance. If you get excuses as to why it’s not available, you might want to reconsider.
Quality of life
Do the staff treat residents in a respectful manner? Is there a variety of social, recreational, religious or cultural activities? Do residents have choices about their schedule and living space? Do residents have privacy for visits or personal care?
Attention quality
Are there enough staff to ensure residents receive the care they need? Can residents continue to see their personal doctors? Can you visit it as often as you want? Having visitors can make the transition to a nursing home or nursing home easier for you and your family member.
Preventive care: Does the nursing home make sure residents receive preventive care to help them stay healthy?
Your informed choice will help you or your loved one make a pleasant change from living at home to living in a nursing home or nursing home. You can be an advocate for your loved ones by looking at their potential care and living conditions and discussing them with your family or a family member.
Remember, there is more to choosing a nursing home or nursing home than just price. What counts is the quality of care.