In my experience, the carefully written care plans look great, but are just words on a page. It all depends on the people there that very day. The reality is that your mother-in-law will receive the care she needs each particular day- no CNA will let her go without being fed, not being checked and changed regularly, not being brought out for activities/music if she enjoys the gathering, no LPN will let her go without her medications or not keep an overall eye on what’s happening. People go into these fields and take these jobs because they want to, they enjoy the work, they enjoy the people, they feel it’s being in service to others. That’s my point- a good place is one that is clean, looks bright, the rooms have natural light, the food tastes good, the activities program is active, the Medicare and state standards have been consistently met, and the people seem nice! A bookshelf full of Policies and Procedures binders in the administrator’s office is no guarantee of anything.
At some point, they may suggest moving her to a regular floor unit. Don’t say no right away, there is a lot more stimulation there- more activity, more voices, more people out and about. The Broda wheeled chairs are very comfortable, and would allow her to be safely up in a sitting area or maybe the patio in the sunshine with you!