Some folks may not be aware how closely nursing and assisted living facilities work with their local healthcare providers. Both types of healthcare venues need to have many outstanding relationships with local hospitals (in particular hospital discharge planners and case managers) along with the doctors who also work in the region.

This is very important because sometimes, especially when it comes to placing a loved one into a nursing facility, the decision may come without much prior warning. For example, an elderly person may be doing fine living on his or her own … and then something unexpected occurs which causes them to visit the doctor or perhaps the incident is such that a stay in the hospital is required.

It may be determined that the best course of action for Mom or Dad, a Grandparent, or a Spouse is assisted living or nursing home care. It may be that the doctor is asked for an opinion, or that the responsibility falls upon a hospital case manager or the hospital discharge planner to arrange for a caregiving source.

This is why it’s important that nursing and assisted living facilities keep local healthcare referral partners updated as to what taking place. They need to let these folks know if, for example, a new piece of therapy equipment has been added, or if a key new addition has been made to the staff.

Just as important besides the relationships with local healthcare referral partners, are the relationships with assisted living and nursing facility residents and families, as well as anyone who has had dealings with the buildings in the past. Facility staff members work everyday to win and keep these folks’ trust and confidence because they know that “people talk” and they want them to have good things to say about the care and services provided. These healthcare establishments can never take this for granted because they realize that they’ve been entrusted with peoples’ lives! And when you think about it, there’s no more important responsibility than this.