One of the hardest decisions of your life??

Placing a relative in a residence for the elderly can be traumatic, but DomusVi make it far easier with their guarantee of person-centred care

The decision that an elderly relative or loved one is better off in a residence where they are constantly safe and looked after can be one of the hardest we make in out lives, and with all the doubts and guilt involved it can sometimes become hard to keep sight of benefits for all concerned.

After all, if you have reached the point where you are even considering the option of a care home or residential care, the odds are that that this is the correct option. The problem is that we have a natural tendency to cling onto the hope that things will get easier, convincing ourselves that the person involved needs the security and familiarity of the surroundings where they have (in most cases) spent many years, creating memories and their own “comfort zone”.

However, if it’s possible to look at the situation objectively, there are many positive aspects to a home for the elderly, not least among them the special skills and aptitudes of the staff who work there. This is just one of the many guarantees offered by DomusVi residences all over Spain, including DomusVi Ciudad de Murcia on the outskirts of the city – a clean, modern, airy and light-filled centre with specially adapted facilities to promote comfort, a stimulating environment and social life and of course the very best in dietary, cognitive and physical therapy as well as constant 24-hour vigilance and care.

At the same time great efforts are made to create an atmosphere of enriching and active interaction both with other residents and with people from outside the centre, and of course family and friends are welcome to visit at any time!

The care and attention programs designed for residents take into account each person’s abilities, likes, tastes, preferences and life experiences as they make themselves at home in their “new family” – this is embodied in the “person-centred approach” at DomusVi centres.

FAQs: the admissions procedure

What kinds of stay are provided for?

DomusVi are fully aware that the needs of new residents depend to a large degree on how independent they are, and in order to adapt to these needs the centres offer both long- and short-term stays, as well as day centre facilities.

What official documentation is needed for new residents?

For privately contracted residencies DomusVi provide full guidance as to what is needed: ID documents for the resident and the prime contact, a medical card, an up-to-date medical case history and any medication being taken, etc.

For an arranged admission the resident must be over 65 or, in the case of moderate or severe dependency, 60. Paperwork is easier if the resident is on the municipal “padrón” in the region where the centre is located and the paperwork is then handled directly with the regional Social Security services.

Non-voluntary admission is not possible unless it is approved by the judiciary, and in such cases DomusVi centres provide assistance.

Is an initial evaluation of the resident performed?

Given that DomusVi aims to provide personalized care plans, initial evaluations are an essential part of the admission procedure. Evaluations are carried out by a team of professionals in different fields at each DomusVi centre and an inter-disciplinary evaluation is then produced in which personalized characteristics, needs and preferences are identified.

What are the specialized units?

At each DomusVi residence there are care units specializing in providing care for sufferers of Alzheimer, Parkinsons and dementia, and appropriate treatment (both pharmacological and behavioural) is provided for each of these conditions.

What belongings should new residents bring with them?

The DomusVi centre provides all of the equipment needed for everyday hygiene and cleanliness. It is recommended that residents be supplied with their own comfortable clothing and that they should be equipped with items such as hairbrush, toothbrush and other personal belongings with which to decorate their room and make it their own.

Should clothes be labelled?

Yes, this is highly recommended. At some DomusVi centres a labelling service is provided – ask at reception whether this is the case.