When you have a parent who is reaching their senior years, you’ll have to begin looking for nursing homes in St. Louis, MO. This can be an overwhelming situation when you realize there are so many choices for senior care in your community. If you create a strategy for finding the facilities in your community that offer the best care, making a choice can become a little more manageable.
Meet the Staff
As you tour each nursing home, pay attention to how the staff interacts with you and their residents. If they seem rushed, impatient, or frustrated, you can assume the facility is understaffed. This suggests your parent won’t get the care you will expect them to receive. Instead, look for facilities in which residents and guests are treated with kindness and compassion.
Pop in at Meal Time
You should schedule your tours to take place during the lunch or dinner hours. This will give you the opportunity to see that the residents are given nutritional meals. While the occasional unhealthy snack is okay, they should usually be given meals that consist of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meat.
Ask About Structured Activities
Another factor to consider in choosing nursing homes in St. Louis, MO, is how the facilities help protect the health of their residents. By keeping them engaged in structured activities and providing opportunities to go outdoors, the cognitive, emotional, and physical health of the residents can be reinforced. Frequent socialization, participation in complex activities, and physical exercise will be crucial in helping your parent live a better quality of life for longer.