Making the decision to relocate a loved one to an aged care facility is not usually an easy one. As the primary care giver, you will probably struggle with feeling guilt as some people associate this with abandoning their geriatric relatives. However, a good nursing facility can make all the difference between your older relative thriving and not getting enough stimulation during their golden years. This is especially true if you have a busy lifestyle and career, and thus cannot devote as much time as you would like into the care of your loved one. Before enrolling your loved one in an aged care facility, there are a few considerations to keep in mind to ensure you are making the right choice. Here are some of the considerations to keep in mind when selecting an aged care facility.

Establish if they accept Medicare or not

Medicare is pertinent if you have no option but to enrol your loved one in a nursing home but are on a budget. With Medicare, you can rest assured that all medical bills that they accumulate will be paid off by the government rather than you having to pay out of pocket. Some nursing homes may not accept Medicare, but they may have discounts that you could take advantage of. Before making a decision on what nursing home would be best, establish what payment plan would be most comfortable for you, then contact a professional aged care facility, such as Bromilow Home Support Services Pty Ltd, and inquire about their payment options.

Be wary of odours

Granted, nursing homes will typically have an overall hospital-like odour. Although this is normal, there are some warning signs to look out for before making a decision. Steer clear from aged care facilities that strongly reek of urine and other bodily fluids. This could indicate that not much care is taken to keeping the residents clean and sanitary. It should be expected that since their residents are geriatrics, they may not be fully capable of keeping themselves clean, and this could put them at risk of infections and diseases. Instead, only contemplate facilities that not only appear presentable, but also lack any pungent odours on the premises.

Ensure you have executed power of attorney in advance

Before enrolling your loved one in an aged care facility, you need to ensure that you have executed power of attorney. Being advanced in age will make your loved one prone to illness or injury. In the event that they become injured while at the nursing home, you will have to sort out power of attorney before you can make any medical decisions for them. This will be extremely inconvenient, trying to jump through hoops in the middle of a crisis. To avoid all this, it is best to sort out the execution of power of attorney before you have made a decision on what nursing home they will be living in.