Seniors who have lost their physical and/or mental autonomy can no longer cope on a daily basis. Hence the need to place them in a nursing home.
How to ensure the professionalism of an accommodation establishment for dependent elderly people (Ehpad)?
The older an individual gets, the more his health deteriorates. There is a good chance that the person will no longer be able to perform simple actions on their own, such as dressing, bathing or eating. However, these are essential acts for the smooth running of daily life. This situation is especially encountered when the senior is suffering from a degenerative pathology such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease, for example. In this case, staying at home is no longer possible.
The reasons ? Along with daily helpers, assistance and medical supervision will also be necessary. And this is where residential care facilities for dependent elderly people come in. Like traditional retirement homes, these institutions integrate accommodation, catering and laundry services. The difference is the presence of medical care units. Finally, as these establishments are also convivial places to live, they must also include cells for entertainment and collective activities.
Depriving a senior of his usual environment can be a very traumatic experience for the person concerned. It is not surprising that the selection criteria for these establishments are very drastic. For good reason, the development and well-being of the person will depend on it, without forgetting his medical follow-up. And to complicate the task even more, medical institutions are very numerous, both in the public and private sectors.
A directory that specializes in retirement homes, Medipages.org offers a very extensive network of accommodation establishments for dependent elderly people. Moreover, to facilitate searches for Internet users, the establishments are classified by department.
Otherwise, for the elderly who suffer from Alzheimer's disease, the choice will be made among nursing homes which include Alzheimer's units. Thus, when you click on the establishment that interests you, you can freely consult its very detailed file. It will include:the rates charged, the type of accommodation and the number of beds, the activities and life projects...
Many points will have to be examined when selecting the medicalized retirement establishment. And the first thing to do is to find out if the Ehpad is approved by the State. Otherwise, the establishment is not authorized to receive seniors with a loss of autonomy.
To check the quality of the facilities, the ideal would be to go directly to the premises to ensure that the layout of the common areas and collective areas comply with safety standards.
What are the dimensions of the single rooms? Is the room air conditioned? Does the establishment offer a park or a garden? Once you have all the necessary information about the characteristics of the retirement home, it is necessary to find out about its staff.
To take care of the daily life of its residents, these medical institutions must have a team that is both professional and experienced, generally made up of:a coordinating doctor, nursing assistants, nurses and physiotherapists.
(photo credits:JSmith photos, robinsan, Susan NYC)
