It is likely that your city also has a department on aging and the staff at this department level can also be very helpful as the plan for nursing home care takes affect. Medicare and Medicaid staff is also helpful in determining financial help. All nursing homes have staff that deal with placement and if the person is in the hospital they will work on your behalf to make this transition a smooth and effortless time for the person and their family. Every nursing home has a person who will work on your behalf at anytime and they are called Ombudsmen. Their main focus is your rights of a nursing home resident.

There are certain indications that a person needs to go to a nursing home, where they can receive the quality care that they need. Here are a few signs that will help you make that decision:

You will know that it’s time for a nursing home when he or she is letting the bills and other types of mail pile up. This may be a sign that they feel unable or overwhelmed with these tasks
The apartment or home is becoming cluttered and dirty. Again, the person may be feeling overwhelmed with ordinary chores or just feels too tired to do them.
He or she is losing weight and shows little interest in food.
Again, he or she begins wearing the same clothes and is not keeping a good hygiene
The older person may be struggling when preparing meals, are forgetting to clean the dishes or showing no interest in preparing meals.
Depression may be affecting him or her and they are unable to tell you why they feel depressed.
The older person has been falling down more and is keeping to themselves too much”is becoming a recluse.

When you see these signs and symptoms in your loved one, talk with a nursing home manager and he or she will help you with this very important matter.