50+ Lifestyles

Your Advocacy

By Kathy Nitz
Lead Benefits Advocate
GolderCare Solutions

The Nursing Home and You – Why You Need Someone on Your Side

Many times the decision for placement in a Nursing Home comes after an accident or health emergency. The doctor informs us that our loved one would best be served in a long term care facility or skilled facility for rehabilitation. You are handed a list and asked to choose one now as your loved one is being discharged. How is this possible? How can I make such a big decision from a LIST? What do I know about these facilities except what I have heard through the grapevine?  Which one is best for my family?

If you are not familiar with the facilities, now is the time to go look at them and tour – IF you have time.  Many times the minute you enter the hospital, they are already planning your discharge and you don’t get the luxury of time to choose.  Often times people come to GolderCare with a loved one in care but it is far from family members and their home.  How did this happen?  Is this permanent just because that is where the hospital said they had to go?  If the hospital determines the facility, they will discharge to the first facility that agrees to take your family member despite any considerations of
the family.

Once you get your loved one placed in a facility, you may be thinking, now what? What should I be doing? What is my role now that they are in long-term care? An important role you now need to provide is that of the “advocate”. Advocacy in all its forms seeks to ensure that people, particularly those who are most vulnerable in society, are able to:

• Have their voice heard on issues that are important to them.
• Defend and safeguard their rights.
• Have their views and wishes genuinely considered when decisions are being made about their lives.

As an advocate, you will have a lot to learn to be effective in your role. You need to acquaint yourself with the facility and the layout of the building. Learn the schedule of the facility and how that impacts your loved one. Make sure the staff is aware of your loved one’s interests, goals, needs, and personality. The more they know about your loved one the more individualized care they can give.

It is important to attend Care Plan Meetings. The facility is required to have one within the first few weeks of admission and then quarterly thereafter. This is a meeting where you and your loved one meet with staff members and discuss their care plan, any changes that have occurred, and questions or concerns you may have. Often times however, these are “cattle calls” and they don’t plan to spend more than a few minutes with you.  Know that you do not have to wait until a care meeting to talk to someone. If you have issues to discuss or concerns to work out, ask for a meeting that includes all departments and allows you enough time to get answers to your questions.

Another key to success is learning more about the facility staff to know where to go to for specific needs. The Director of Nursing is in charge of the entire nursing staff. The Floor Nurse is the nurse assigned to the area where your person resides. They, along with the Certified Nurse’s Assistants (CNAs) are the ones doing “hands on care”. The Case Manager coordinates with insurance companies and the facility’s therapy department to ensure that the services being provided are covered. The Care Plan Coordinator can report to you on your loved one’s mobility, mood, eating habits, hygiene, medications, and treatments. Therapists will keep you informed of your loved one’s goals, progress, and future needs regarding their physical and speech therapy.

The Social Services Director assists with monitoring the resident’s memory and mood, implements interventions when needed, and assists with discharge planning. The Dietary Manager runs the kitchen and dining room and is an excellent resource for questions relating to dietary needs. The Housekeeping and Laundry Services help you find missing clothing and personal items. The Maintenance Person helps not only with the repairs of the building but also wheelchairs, walkers, and more. The Bookkeeper can answer questions regarding the bill and explain how a “trust account” works for them to buy essentials or go to the beauty shop. The Administrator is involved in all of these departments and is a good resource for answers and action. Do not be afraid to sit down with this person and talk through your questions and concerns.  Communication is often one of the biggest issues with new residents at facilities.  Communication styles and personalities always play a big part in asking for what you want and making sure the staff is conveying their needs of the resident as well.

As you continue on this journey as advocate, remember to have patience. First, have patience with your loved one. They are going through a lot, and change can be difficult, especially when they are losing much of their independence. Also, have patience for the facility. There are many residents, all needing care and attention. Staffing can sometimes be difficult and even when they are working non-stop, there are periods of waiting. Equipment breaks down, items can get lost, and cooking for 100 people at a time ensures not everyone can always be satisfied. The long term care facility is home to these residents. The day to day workings are directed by, and sometimes at the mercy of, human circumstances. As an “advocate”, being patient does not mean being a doormat. It means picking your battles and practicing discernment regarding what will affect your loved ones dignity, well-being, and quality of life.

If you are in a role of Advocate, you are important to your loved one. They need you! If you feel you need more support, contacting GolderCare is a great place to start. We can be an additional resource for you and give you peace of mind in many difficult decisions that you are making for your loved one. In this mobile and global society today, often times families can not be physically with their loved one as they are in the facilities.  We at GolderCare can be your eyes and ears with boots on the ground for families.  If you want to learn more about how you can be an effective advocate and learn about resources available to you, please consider attending our upcoming Senior Empowerment Series “The Nursing Home and You – Why You Need Someone on Your Side”. We will discuss practical tips to get your loved one what need while they are in long-term care. Our Senior Empowerment events are held on:

Wednesday, August 7, 10 am – GolderCare Office, 1900 State Street, Bettendorf

Wednesday, August 21, 10 am – Moline Public Library, 3210 41st Street, Moline

These events are free and open to the public. We hope you will join us!   

Kathy Nitz is a Benefits Advocate for GolderCare Solutions. She uses her knowledge and experience to help advocate for seniors and those with disabilities. You can reach Kathy at GolderCare Solutions Unlimited, LLC (309) 764-2273.