Is there anything I need to know before a loved one checks into a nursing home?

 

Is there any loss of control or autonomy to be considered? 

 

Thanks

This would be a good time to talk to a lawyer about medical power of attorney and stuff like that. Also, bring along your contract from the nursing home.

I would very carefully check that the professional staff have the appropriate (medical) qualifications, ie they are currently registered, that the food provided is appropriate and that the caring staff have received the required training.

 

My ex Thai gf is a registered nurse, and she told me a few horror stories about incidents at a couple of privately run Thai nursing homes - medications not given to people, wrong medications given to people, doctors/ambulance not called when person was seriously ill, staff infrequently checking in on people to make sure that they are well, etc.

 

 

Obviously anyone weak/debilitated or handicapped enough to have to go into a nursing home, once in this institution, will have considerable (near total) loss of autonomy and control.

 

It is essential that a family member (or other person with power of attorney) visit regularly to keep an eye on things.

 

There is no overall government regulation of nursing homes in Thailand so it is very much consumer beware.

 

Some are good, some are awful, many are in-between.