Nursing Homes near Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nursing Homes in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Living in a nursing home isn't at the top of every senior's bucket list, but it can be a better experience than most give it credit for when the idea first gets brought up. Many seniors probably feel like they're being abandoned, or they're a burden to their families. This can often lead to hurt feelings and emotional duress, which makes the decision that much harder. It's best for families to talk about this subject before it's necessary, and get on the same page about it. Doing so will make it easier to deal with when the time comes, and it allows seniors to prepare in advance so they don't feel blind sighted as they're moving into their new home. The good news is that Fort Lauderdale is a great place for retirees and those moving into nursing homes thanks to the weather and available activities.

More about Fort Lauderdale

The city is a major tourist destination thanks to its clear blue water beaches and year-round average temperature of 75 degrees. It also logs about 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, and storms happen infrequently. The area has 561 hotels and motels, 4,000 restaurants, 63 golf courses, 12 shopping malls, 16 museums, 132 night clubs, 278 parkland campsites, and 100 marinas housing at least 45,000 yachts. In addition, 46 cruise ships sailed from Port Everglades in 2012, with the number increasing each year after that. Fort Lauderdale is a massive center of activity for Florida, and there are plenty of options for everyone, from the younger college crowd all the way to retiring seniors. The city is also known for its extensive network of canals, of which there are 165 miles of waterway within city limits. Some refer to the city as the Venice of America due to those waterways, and there are several homes along the canals, which provide waterfront property even when not on the beach.

One small concern for Fort Lauderdale as a whole is the fact that its economy relies so heavily on tourism. Although the economy is quite strong and there are plenty of jobs, it is known as the Spring Break destination of the world. That means it can get quite crowded at times, and with an influx of young adults and teenagers, there is an increase in rowdiness. However, that doesn't take away from the fact that it's still a good city to retire in.

Choosing the Right Facility

Fort Lauderdale offers a culturally diverse atmosphere with a lot of options in the way of museums and theaters. You always want to keep your loved one's personal preferences in mind, but nursing homes that offer city outings and tours can be of interest to many seniors. Create a list of nursing homes with the basic non-negotiables you and your loved one require, and then find out the specifics for each one in person. Talk to the program director about the staff. How were they trained, what's the patient to staff ratio, do they genuinely care about the residents or is it just a paycheck to them? Once you feel good about the staff, figure out if the facility's policies resonate with you. Do you feel they are too strict, or maybe they aren't strict enough? Also, determine what level of care your loved one will receive, and how often you will get updates. Finally, ensure the facility you choose has plenty of amenities and activities to keep your loved one active.

Amenities and Activities

The amenities and activities available to residents of a nursing home are important. They keep the residents engaged in life by building a community for them. Many residents come to think of the other residents as a second family. A good nursing home offers a wide selection of options including restaurant-style dining, social and recreational activities, landscaped grounds, beauty salon/barber shop, game room, wireless internet, library, laundry, and housekeeping. Nursing homes in Fort Lauderdale also have access to shopping areas, recreational centers, parks, museums, galleries, and beaches, to name a few. Find out what your loved one's preference is, and then look for facilities that can match that preference.

Aging loved ones already have enough to worry about, they don't need to worry about the level of care they will receive from a nursing home, too. It is important to choose one that makes both you and your loved one comfortable, but at the same time offers the best care available. Nursing homes should be an accepting, supportive community with compassionate staff and managers. Residents should be happy and relatively healthy, depending on their individual circumstances. The best way to discover what type of nursing home you're dealing with is to visit the facility and speak to the staff and residents.