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What's Your Question About Nursing Homes?
By Sherry Culp - November, 2009
Question
My sister is in a nursing home, and I’m not sure what would be a good gift for her during the holiday season? Any suggestions?
Answer
Ask her what she wants. There may be something she’d enjoy or something that would make her life more pleasant. Does she like to watch television, read or listen to music? Try a television, books, CD player and CDs or an mp3 player loaded with audio books and music files. Don’t forget to write her name on anything you get her, using permanent marker or engrave the item. DVD players have really come down in price and make a good gift if she likes movies or television series. If you also give her earphones she could watch whenever/whatever she wants without disturbing anyone else. What about a prepaid cell phone? Ombudsmen often hear residents talk about how satisfied they are with a prepaid cell phone. Additional minutes can be purchased for the resident periodically throughout the year. Don’t forget accessories that help to protect devices like cases and lanyards. Most residents only have $40 to spend each month on personal needs and that doesn’t go far these days. Additional gift ideas: personal items such as toiletries of the resident’s brand of choice or clothing, a trip to the beauty shop, magazine subscriptions, digital photo frames, soft and plush blankets, or art, especially art created by children she cares about. You could create a photo album or scrapbook that would bring back fond memories. Remember that some residents just want to be remembered throughout the year with regular visits, some fresh home cooked food, and opportunities to be involved in family outings whenever possible.
Question
My cousin is in a personal care home. She is very active and social. Any gift ideas for her?
Answer
Since she is a social butterfly, get her a deck of cards, or a game like Scrabble that she can play with friends. If vision is an issue, buy cards and games that come in large or enhanced versions. If she uses a walker, you might consider a walker-tote, which attaches to a walker using Velcro. These are perfect for the person on the go. You can find them at drug stores and medical supply stores. Tickets to a movie or play would be nice. Give them to her in twos and then she can take a friend. Remember to check and see if transportation is an issue.
Question
Dad would like to come home for the holiday. Will the nursing home let him come?
Answer
Your Dad is not a prisoner; he can come and go as he is able. If he is on the Medicaid program, he is allowed to be gone from the facility a total of 10 days each year for purely social reasons. (The Medicaid program calls this “therapeutic leave.”) You should talk with the nursing staff at least two to three days in advance of the outing so they can prepare for it. This means packaging needed medication, bagging up incontinent supplies, writing down special food preparation instructions and anything else you might need to do. Ask the staff to give you instructions in writing. You can always call back and ask the nurse caring for your Dad if you run into trouble. If there is a medical emergency while he’s home, call 911 as you would for anyone else and then alert the nursing staff at the facility. If he just gets too tired and wants to go home, respect his wishes. Going home to be with family will probably be the best gift your Dad could have this season. With a little planning and a lot of love, it should go just great.
Question
I am concerned about the many residents who have no one to remember them during the holidays. Do you have any suggestions for how I could give a gift to a resident in need?
Answer
Sure! There are many wonderful opportunities to help residents this time of the year. One reader shared that she and her co-workers used to exchange Christmas gifts. They decided instead to do something for others. So they pooled the money they normally spent on each other and bought gifts for residents at the nursing home across the street from their office. It turned out to be so rewarding to visit with them that they continue to visit at least once a month. Now that’s a gift that keeps on giving! The Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency is hosting a gift giving tree for residents in need at the Holiday Showcase House. Visit the resident gift tree, select a resident, purchase gifts and return them to the ombudsman agency so that they can be delivered to residents in need. During this giving season remember that you can support your ombudsman program and residents by visiting the 2009 Holiday Showcase. The Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass and the Lexington Junior League are proud to announce the Holiday Showcase to be held at the Bodley-Bullock House, at 200 Market Street in Historic Gratz Park of Lexington. Several interior designers will decorate the exterior and interior of the home for the holidays. General Admission is $10 per person and 100 percent goes to support the ombudsman program. So come see us and bring your friends to enjoy a lovely afternoon. Special group tours are available. Certain holiday items will be available for the public to purchase. Holiday Showcase 2009 will be open November 20 – December 2, Tuesday – Thursday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Closed Mondays and Thanksgiving Day. For more information contact Julie McDearmon at 859-277-9215 or visit www.ombuddy.org
This column is presented as a public service of the Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass. If you have a question, send it to:
Sherry Culp
Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency
1530 Nicholasville Rd.
Lexington, KY, 40503