Council on Aging Senior Guide 2013 - 57

13.

do not have to adjust to a change in environment. This is a wonderful new development and benefits both the care receiver and the caregiver.

COUNCIL ON AGING ORANGE COUNTY

14. 15.

Cost. In addition to the average monthly cost for an RCFE (which can range from $1800 - $4,000+ a month), the family is responsible for incontinence and personal care products. There are also usually add-on costs, which might include help with bathing, dressing, eating or incontinence. You might want to ask how often the rates are increased; how much notice is given before an increase; and how it’s determined when someone is to be advanced to the next level of care. Typically, there is a change in cost when the next level of care is needed. RCFEs are “private pay” only which means they do not qualify for Medi-Cal coverage. Most SNFs, on the other hand, accept Medi-Cal for qualified individuals. Medicare only pays for a short-term nursing home stay for rehabilitation purposes. The average cost for a nursing home in California is approximately $4500 per month for a private room; some cost even more. Your family consultant can help with a referral to an elderlaw specialist to discuss planning Medi-Cal eligibility in case a nursing home is necessary in the future. (See our Fact Sheet Legal Issues in Planning for Incapacity.) Be up-front about your situation. If your mother sometimes refuses her medication or a shower, let the administrator know. This is also an opportunity for you to ask how the staff might handle these behaviors. Remember, your role is to try to make the transition for you and your family member as easy as possible. If the facility’s philosophy of care does not agree with your philosophy, this is probably not the right facility for your family.

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with the facility for more than one year.

Is there a perfect situation? Personal care and attention to individual needs should be a major priority in choosing the care home for your relative. If you find something lacking at a facility (outside of personal care), it might be possible for you to supplement what is missing. For example, you could take your relative out to a beauty shop if there isn’t one on-site, or volunteer to call bingo if you believe there are too few activities. Typically, more expensive facilities will have more amenities and special features. Changing your care home. Sometimes caregivers discover that their first facility choice is not a good match for their relative. Now that the family knows what is most important to their relative, they can be more successful when choosing another site. Although we recommend you work with staff to help your relative adjust to their living situation, we also encourage you to trust your instincts. If you believe there is a better living situation for your loved one, make the move.

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Helping your relative adjust. Although there is a brief social history of your relative taken during the intake process, you should supplement this information with your own “Personal Profile.” Include information about the care receiver’s occupation, place of birth etc., as well as information on the care receiver’s parents and siblings. Don’t forget to include what has made them unique in the family; their special attributes, hobbies and contributions. You might even choose to create a Continued on next page

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Staffing Patterns and Staff Retention. A good staff ratio during the day shift in an RCFE is one direct staff person to eight residents. This does not include the activity coordinator, program director or on-call nurse. Fewer staff are needed on evening and night shifts. In a small Board and Care Home, the required ratio is two staff to six residents. However, Board and Care Home staff are usually responsible for cooking and cleaning as well as resident care. To get a sense of the satisfaction level of the staff, you might want to ask how many employees have been

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Council on Aging Senior Guide 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Council on Aging Senior Guide 2013