 | Larry Nanny is the Administrator at Lakewood Senior Living located off of Kellogg Drive on Seville St, between Tyler and Maize Rd. He has a degree in Health Administration, and has been a Nursing Home Administrator for three years. Larry is passionate about helping people. Prior to becoming an Administrator he was a teacher at Wichita Area Technical College where he taught Horticulture. Larry also has served in the Air National Guard and was stationed near Iraq during Desert Storm were he trained arriving troops in chemical weapons warfare. In his spare time Larry likes to spend time with his family, which includes his lovely wife, and their three dogs. Larry is a certified Personal Trainer and an avid fitness enthusiast. He enjoys playing and watching sports, including football, baseball and basketball. Feel free to contact Lakewood Senior Living for assistance if you need more information on our fall prevention program or long-term care, please call (316) 722-6916. |
Senior Living
2007-08-01 11:27:00
Making the transition to a nursing home
Answer: For the person who is about to enter a nursing facility, and for caring family and friends, the days just before and during the move can be traumatic. Anticipation, fear and guilt -- often combined with illness or the recent loss of a loved one -- mean that the individual faces the future with fear and doubt. This is not unusual. With love, understanding, help and planning, the uncertainty of entering and adjusting to life in a nursing facility can be greatly minimized. Though not always possible, the involvement of the resident in selecting a nursing facility can make a critical difference in the final adjustment. If able, the resident should have input into choosing a nursing facility that fits the resident’s personal style of living. As far in advance as you can, begin planning for the move. To the extent possible, plan the move with the help and participation of the resident. Remember, the professionally trained staff understands your concerns and is eager to help you make this period as calm and positive as possible. It’s a good idea to get a head start on paperwork and financial details. Before admission day arrives, fill out the forms to the best of your ability, making note of any questions you and the resident may have. Provide a complete medical and personal history for the resident. Check on Medicare and Medicaid eligibility requirements. Review your understanding of payment, money management and other details. Don’t hesitate to ask questions. It is the resident’s right to make decisions. Family input is welcome, but ultimately the resident has the final say. Should the resident be incapable of making key decisions, the legally designated responsible party makes decisions. It is this individual’s responsibility to communicate information to other family members. If you have questions about handling the decision making process, or deeper questions about advance directives, guardianship, or powers of attorney, contact the nursing facility administrator or your family attorney. On the day of admission, family and close friends should plan to spend several hours in the facility helping the new resident set up the room, learn his or her way around, and meet some of the staff and residents. Family and friends might also plan to attend the first meal or a planned activity. When family members depart from the facility, they may be faced with an emotional reaction from the resident. Assure the resident that family will call and visit often and soon. Remember that when you make plans, you should make every effort to keep them. It is never our goal to spend time in a nursing home. But if you take some of these things into account and do as much pre-planning and research as you can to assure your loved one is in the right place and receiving appropriate care and services, the stress will be minimized.
