Emily Anderson | Dec 8, 2017
Finding the perfect transitional care for your loved one is a difficult and time-consuming task because you want to make sure that you choose the right facility where your loved one will get all the care and attention needed to thrive. At Walker Methodist, we know how much time and effort you might put into researching and choosing a transitional care facility, so we’ve created a simple checklist that you can use when comparing TCU locations for an older adult in your life.
1. Qualified and Caring Staff
Among the most important factors when choosing a transitional care facility is the staff, because they are the ones who will ultimately be responsible for the care of your loved one. The staff should be friendly and qualified, caring and capable, patient and knowledgeable, respectful, and competent. There should also be staff available around the clock, and the staff should include a variety of people with a range of skills, including:
- Nurses
- Cooks
- Rehabilitation specialists
- Social service professionals
- Therapists
2. Happy Residents
Transitional care may not be permanent, but that doesn’t mean your loved one shouldn’t have a great experience. When you go on your facility tours, pay special attention to the residents, and talk to them if you can to find out if they're happy, if they have any complaints, if they'd recommend the TCU, and if they're welcoming to new residents.
3. Good Location That’s Close By
Family is a very important part of the care process, and the more time you can spend with your loved one, the easier transitional care will be. Look for a TCU that’s close to you or another family member who can drop by regularly, and who can be close if there's any immediate need for family to come by.
4. Good Reputation and References
Word of mouth has always been a powerful form of advertising, and this is even truer when people use the internet to rate and review everything from restaurants to hospitals to movies. Before making any final decisions about a TCU, ask the family members of other residents for recommendations, check out online reviews, and get a good sense of the transitional care unit's reputation.
5. High Facility Standards
Along with having the highest standards of care for residents, it’s also vital that the TCU you choose have high standards across the board, especially in terms of:
- Dignity of residents
- Safety and security
- Cleanliness
- Respect for residents and their families
You can get a good idea of the standards of the TCU during the facility visit, and also in the conversations you have with staff, residents, and administrators.
6. Necessary Care Available
Transitional care serves different purposes for different residents, so your TCU must be capable of providing a broad range of services and meeting a wide variety of needs. Special care services to look for include rehabilitation, therapy, memory, and cardiac care, as well as assistance with the activities of daily living, medication management, exercise, and transportation.
7. Insurance Is Accepted
Many TCUs work with a variety of insurance companies and provider networks. To ensure that money doesn’t get in the way of your loved one getting the best care possible, look for facilities that are able to accept insurance.
Choosing a transitional facility is a big responsibility, but it doesn’t have to be as difficult as it sounds. With this simple checklist, you can narrow down your search to a few facilities, and facility tours can help you zero in on the ideal TCU for your loved one. Contact Walker Methodist for more information about transitional care.
