Working closely with assisted living or skilled nursing staff optimizes your loved one’s care and encourages positive outcomes.
Why You Need to Talk with the Staff
Those who work directly with your loved one daily can provide the best insight into their health condition, treatment status and comfort level. Speaking with staff allows you to have a hand in your parent’s care and express their concerns on their behalf if they can’t communicate.
Assisted living can strengthen family bonds and help you share the responsibility of caregiving. Include other family and friends in your communication strategy to ensure others are aware of your loved one’s health and will step in if you can’t be present.
Potential Communication Barriers
Language barriers: Effective communication requires clear expression and understanding from all parties. Your mom or dad may struggle to convey their symptoms or opinions if they don’t speak the same language as the staff or communicate in a different manner. Request a translator or sign language interpreter to assist if you’re not present.
Distrust: Health issues and family medical history might be sensitive subjects. It’s not unusual to experience hesitation when talking about substance use or genetic conditions. However, it’s imperative to share as much information as possible so nursing staff can administer care that addresses your loved one’s unique needs.
Loved one’s discomfort: Physical pain can be distracting. Your mom or dad may be unable to express their needs while coping with discomfort. Keep notes to track their symptoms and inform the staff so they can make necessary adjustments.
Staffing: The staff-to-patient ratio could impact the time the nursing team spends with each resident. Shift changes may also affect the flow of communication, which is why it’s important to establish a rapport with everyone who cares for your mom or dad.
Tips for Communicating with Nursing Facility Staff
Be respectful when speaking with staff. They’re just as passionate about your loved one’s care as you, so working together will provide better clinical outcomes for your mom or dad. Transitioning your parent to an assisted living facility can be stressful, but the care team is there to help.
Here are some communication tips to remember:
- Express questions and concerns about your loved one’s health right away.
- Get to know various staff members, including nurses, assistants, activity directors and administrators.
- Ask nursing staff to explain your loved one’s diagnosis, treatment and prognosis in simple terms.
- Get involved at the skilled nursing or assisted living facility by volunteering, participating in activities and attending care plan meetings.
- Be an active listener and allow clinical staff to thoroughly explain care goals.
- Know when to escalate the conversation to management and how the chain of command works.
- Show staff appreciation. A thank-you can be meaningful to healthcare staff.
Trusted Assisted Living Services at Embassy Healthcare
Your loved one’s well-being is our priority. We work closely with you and your parent to create personalized care plans and adjust them when necessary. Questions are encouraged, and you should always feel comfortable talking with our staff.
Call 216-378-2050 to learn about our skilled nursing and assisted living services, and schedule a tour online.
