• Acknowledge your loved one’s feelings of loss. Even in the best of situations—where your loved one willingly chose assisted living—grief and feelings of loss are to be expected. Leaving one’s home is a huge. Don’t minimize their feelings or focus excessively on the positive. Sympathize and respect feelings of loss and give them time to adjust.

• Call and visit as often as you can. Regular contact from friends and family will reassure your loved one that they’re still loved and cared for. Continue to include your loved one in family outings and events whenever possible. If your loved one lives far away, regular calls or emails can make a big difference.

• Work through concerns together. While your loved one will likely go through a period of adjustment after moving into an assisted living facility, don’t automatically assume that complaints are just part of the transition process. If your loved one has concerns, take them seriously. Talk about what steps you can take together to resolve the issue. And if the problem turns out to be a big one with no apparent solution, be prepared to look at other facilities.

• Help your loved one personalize their living space. Help your loved one choose and bring over the meaningful possessions and decorations that will give the new living space the feeling of home. But be careful not to take over. Let your loved one take the lead. He or she is going to be the one living here, after all.

Choosing the right skilled nursing community for your parent or elder loved one can be a very tough and uncertain decision for any caregiver.  San Jose Healthcare Center would like to help you find the best home, by providing a list of basic questions to ask when choosing a skilled nursing community.

Click here to view a printable PDF of this Checklist.

Questions to Ask While Touring Skilled Nursing Centers:

• Is this skilled nursing community licensed and certified?
• Is this skilled nursing community accepting new residents, and if so, what is the waiting period for admission?
• How many beds are available?
• Does this skilled nursing home specialize in the disease or medical condition that your loved one suffers from (dementia, stroke, etc.)?
• Are the staff licensed and certified?
• Are background checks conducted on all employees?
• Does this community have an abuse prevention training program?
• Does this community have any complains or lawsuits filed against it?
• How does this community monitor for abuse?
• Can residents make choices about their daily routine (if they are mentally capable)?
• What are the visiting hours?
• Does this skilled nursing home meet your parent’s cultural and religious needs?
• Can residents bring personal items and furniture?
• Ask to be shown the common areas to determine if they are pleasant and comfortable.
• Is there an outdoor area for recreation?
• Ask to be shown the dining room to determine the following
• Is the dining room comfortable and quiet?
• What menu options/special dietary needs are available?
• Does the food and smell appetizing?
• Is the food stored and server at proper temperatures?
• Are residents able to continue seeing their personal doctors?
• Do residents have the same caregiver on a daily basis?
• Is the center fully staffed at nights and on the weekends?
• Is there regular communication between families and administrators?
• Are there medical professionals (doctors, nurses) on staff and what hours are they available?
• What is the arrangement with a local hospital for emergencies?
• Are there handrails and grab bars throughout the facility?
• Are the exits clearly marked?
• Are spills and accidents cleaned up quickly?
• Are hallways well-lighted and clutter-free?
• Are smoke detectors and sprinklers installed throughout?

To find Skilled Nursing Communities near you, visit AssistedLivingFacilitiesCA.com and Search “Skilled Nursing”.

The goal of any quality skilled nursing community is to provide a semblance of home for their residents, in order to ensure the transition is as stress-free as possible.  San Jose Healthcare Center would like to share the benefits- both physical and mental, gardening can provide for our residents.

Bringing along plants from home can help transform an individual’s living area into a familiar and comforting environment.  Adding a splash of color and a sense of ownership to a new space can help with the transition.

Also, having an area on community grounds where residents are encouraged to tend to plants and flowers offers many great benefits.  This is a very popular activities for many seniors, and group gardening activities can increase levels of happiness through social interactions and new positive memories.

In addition to being a fun activity, gardening also helps improve health, through promoting physical activity and exercise, continued use of fine motor skills, as well as a healthy dose of Vitamin D!

For those who have reduced mobility and may not be able to bend down, indoor plants that can be stored at more convenient heights are still beneficial.  These plants still provide enjoyment for residents.

If your loved one enjoys gardening, please be sure to ask us about how we can incorporate gardening into their daily or weekly routine.  San Jose Healthcare Center is committed to ensuring your loved one feels safe and at home during their stay at our community.

The San Jose Healthcare Center understands caring for an aging parent or elder loved one can be a very difficult time, often with more questions than answers.  Here are some common questions, and helpful answers to help clarify information about Skilled Nursing Communities. 

What is skilled nursing?

Skilled nursing homes provide a safe residence to assist individuals who have health conditions, or have recently received surgery, that require constant monitoring and professional medical care.  All LifeHOUSE Skilled Nursing centers provide 24-hour licensed RN presence, social services, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, activity services, and daily nutritional meal planning.

What differentiates skilled nursing from assisted living?

While assisted Living communities also provide quality care with support for daily living activities – bathing, dressing, grooming, etc., they are unable to provide adequate medical care for seniors with more serious health conditions that require care by doctors  and registered nurses.

What can my loved one bring with them?

Most of the furniture and linens will be provided by the community for your loved one.  However, most skilled nursing centers encourage residents to bring personal items in order to make their apartment feel like home.  In some cases, even pets are allowed.

Feel free to contact San Jose Healthcare Center at 408.259.8700 to schedule a tour, and obtain a list of suggested items your loved one can bring.

What happens if my loved one has an emergency while at the skilled nursing center?

Because skilled and well-trained medical professionals are available 24-hours a day, you do not have to worry about emergency situations.  All of the LifeHOUSE Skilled Nursing Centers have strong arrangements with hospitals and doctors, most of which are right across the street, for assistance with emergencies.

Are there social activities?

Many skilled nursing communities employ Event Directors and provide residents with a full calendar or activities and social events to keep them active and enjoying their time at the center.  These activities can include bingo and game nights, art and craft classes, religious services and guest speakers/performers.  Additionally, San Jose Healthcare Center provides wellness programs for each resident, along with many other amenities to help our community feel more like resort living.

Is it true that once someone is admitted to a nursing home they never leave?

No, that is not the case.  San Jose Healthcare Center provides temporary rehabilitation services, as well as long term health care.  Many residents enjoy a temporary respite stay at our community while recovering from surgeries, or receiving physical therapy.

How much does skilled nursing cost?

The cost of skilled nursing varies depending on where the community is located, what level of care is required and provided, and the type of accommodations chosen. It is recommended that seniors and their loved ones look in to a combination of support avenues—from private funds, long-term care insurance and government assistance in order to cover costs.

Medicare covers post-hospital, short-term skilled care only—and may not cover the cost of ongoing nursing home care. For low-income seniors who meet eligibility requirements,Medicaid might pay a portion of the cost.

San Jose Healthcare Center is committed to ensuring this process is as straightforward and hassle-free as possible.  Please contact us today if you have any additional questions.