Foster care homes for the elderly, also known as small group homes, allow New Mexico seniors to reside in a home with a smaller number of residents than a nursing home while receiving more specialized care. As Chron.com explains, in order to properly set up and operate an elderly foster care home, there are certain requirements the home must meet, such as licensing and personnel. So if you are viewing a group home as an option for an elderly loved one, here are some things to look out for.
To be admitted into a group home, a prospective resident or the family member has to sign a contract. The contract describes the kind of care the home will provide the new resident with. Since residents have varying needs, it is important that the contract spell out the right kind of care for your loved one. The contract also ensures that the terms are legal and that all parties involved enjoy legal protections.
Since group homes should have a staff on site to take care of residents, getting a good feel for the employees who work at the home is another vital step. The amount of staff on hand will vary depending if the group home is a large or small one. A bigger home may have more office personnel, nurses or aids. Nonetheless, any group home should do background checks to screen out unqualified candidates or people who might do harm to residents.
A legitimate group home should also comply with certain laws. These include meeting zoning regulations for the home, acquiring all needed licenses, and adhering to regulations that govern how group homes are run in the state of New Mexico. There may also be regulations dictating how the home should prepare food. Pay attention to whether a group home is licensed and if it has been inspected.
This is by no means an exhaustive description of what an elderly foster care home should possess, and you may need to ask legal counsel for further advice. In the event you feel a particular group home is lacking something important, you may be better off seeking a different facility for your senior relative. Keep in mind that this article is written for educational purposes and is no substitute for the advice of a professional attorney.
