If you have decided to put your parent in a nursing home, this can be a difficult time for them as well as for the entire family. In order to make things go easier, there are things you should look for in a nursing home.

Skilled Nursing

Because your parent has dementia, you should ensure the nursing home has skilled nursing. This includes nurses that have experience or have been trained to work with people that have dementia. This is because some people with dementia require extra special care, especially once they get into the later stages.

When a nursing home has skilled nursing, this means the nursing home will generally have one or more excellent nurses on staff at all times. Many nursing homes will also have nursing care available 24/7, as well as access to a doctor at all times.

A skilled nurse will ensure there is an area of the nursing homes where all medication can be stored. They can also help choose meals, as well as provide personal hygiene for those that need it. After a certain period, people with dementia will not remember how to shower, brush their teeth, get dressed, and more. Many times, a skilled nurse can also help with physical therapy. For example, if your parent falls down and injures themselves, the nurse can help make them feel better quicker.

Activities Available

Just because your parent has dementia does not mean they will not enjoy activities. Depending on the stage of dementia they are in, your parent will enjoy spending time around other people. Because of this, the nursing home should offer many activities for your parent. For example, they could have painting available where your parent can paint a picture, or they may take your parent and the other residents on a walk around the grounds. Busywork also works well for people with dementia, such as using building blocks, taking care of toy baby dolls, and much more.

Having a class with singing can also help make people with dementia feel better. The nursing home may have people that actually sing, or they may play music that your parent can enjoy listening to. If they have the ability, some people may even dance to the music.

Talk with a few nursing homes in your area until you find one that you feel has skilled nursing services and will work best for your parent.