After my grandfather was improperly placed in standard AL, he is getting moved to MC.
What standard of care should I expect?
I visited the MC area on my tour of the facility. The residents looked/smelled clean and cared for.
Another thing that is their standard is they ask that you do not visit for two weeks while your LO is getting into the routine of MC. Is that normal?
What questions should I ask?
MCs are just a step up from AL. The staff should know Dementias much better. But there won't be much difference in care and daily routine. It is lockdown so they won't wander. But like an AL they are not skilled nursing. There may come a time where MC is not enough.
If the residents look and smell clean in the MC area of the facility, then that is a good indicator that the place is run properly and residents are getting decent care. Always check out the memory care part of a facility because that's how you can tell.
Get friendly with the CNA staff too. These are the people who do the actual patient care in the facility. When you're friendly with them, they keep an extra eye on your loved one. Sometimes you have to grease the wheel a little bit with them. I'm sure you know what I mean.
Also, visit often once the two-week waiting period is up and do so at different times if possible. The residents of a nursing home who have family visiting regularly tend to get better care.
The questions you ask when you meet with the admins is about staffing, how many caregivers to patients. You hopefully will be given a packet of information about care, about safety, falls preventions, security of the elder. You will ask if they contact you periodically (if you are POA) for care conferences or updates, or if you must call for those; if so whom do you call and when is best to do that. Ask about their careplans. Ask for a tour. That may trigger questions.
Questions normally arise in the future. Ask what methods are in place to have your questions addressed.
https://www.agingcare.com/questions/questions-to-ask-memory-care-facilities-before-placing-a-lo-470196.htm
Best wishes to you.
Something else you can do, is email the Administration with the name of a caregiver, and how that person particularly helped your loved one. At my mother’s MC, this is printed out , and put next to the time clock.
The better we take care of the caregivers, the better care they give.
I was told the same thing and I didn't follow the request. I know my dad would have felt utterly abandoned and I couldn't do that to him.
See if the MC has regular care conferences with you, what activities and outings are planned, menus, etc. See if they have a monthly calendar of daily events to look at. Ask about setting up docs to see him in house and if a mobile dentist comes in too. Ask about PT and if it's in house as well.
Good luck!