Senior Citizens Homes in the Duluth, Minnesota Area

For a family, the decision to place one of your parents in a senior living home can be one of the most trying situations you will face. In the best situation, your parent already knows that they can no longer care for themselves in their own home. The difficulty is compounded if your loved one is suffering from Alzheimer's or other mental ailment. However when the time comes, there are few things to take into consideration.

Senior facilities can be put broadly into one of two categories: Assisted living or long term nursing care. Each one of these serves a different purpose. The assisted living facility is appropriate for seniors who can care for themselves to one degree or another. An example might be a person who has difficulty getting into the bath, or reaching into upper cabinets to get a food or dishes. Even a person who is wheelchair bound can find an Assisted Living home that would fit their needs. These facilities are usually an apartment situation, and can have private apartments, or apartments with a private bedroom but a shared common area. In Duluth, Minnesota, A recommended assisted living apartment complex is Golden Oaks Advanced Assisted Living. I believe this is an above average facility because of several employees with whom I am familiar. Employees of any facility will tell you the way it really is within the four walls of any home, and I have heard highly positive comments about Golden Oaks.

The other broad category, a nursing facility, is more likely the choice if your parent requires more advanced medical care or suffers from advanced Alzheimer's disease. These tend to have more of a hospital feel about them, but in many cases have activity directors and even field trips for residents that are medically stable enough to leave the confines. Usually these homes Have a larger staff of LPNs and RNs, and are in some cases connected directly to a hospital. One very good log-term nursing home is The Sunrise Home in Two Harbors Minnesota. A very dear friend spent her last years there. She suffered from very advanced Alzheimer's disease, but she treated with respect. I was very touched that one of the staff was so kind as to attend her funeral.

No matter what the needs of your loved one, or where you live I would like to suggest the following to attempt to ensure quality care. Firstly, ask the administrator for a list of some of the family members that you can contact for references. Obviously, these will be the people most likely to tell you the unrestrained truth about their experiences with the facility. You can also check the records of citations or non-compliance issues with the department that regulates these issues in your state. Do not be alarmed if there are a few citations. I doubt that any home is perfect. Nevertheless, look for red flags like abuse or neglect. Moreover, be suspicious if you notice an inordinate number of compliance issues. Lastly, be involved. It is sad to say but there is truth in the statement that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. You do not necessarily need to be a complainer, but if you visit your parent often, the staff will notice.

I completely understand that this will be a trying time for you, but rest assured that if it is truly needed, you are doing the most loving thing you can for your parent.