What To Look For In A Nursing Home

January 27th, 2010 · No Comments

Welcome back!

There are a number of considerations to take into account when looking for a nursing home. The best time to look for a nursing home is before you need it. Some people suggest adults over the age of twenty-one should be aware of the available options in their area in case of an emergency, such as rehabilitation due to an accident or health care crisis.

Here are a few criteria one should consider when looking for a nursing home.

The needs of the patient. What type of care does the patient need? Are they there for short-term rehab, or is their health to the point where they need end-of-life care. There may be other less comprehensive and expensive care available for those who do not require extensive care.
Location, location, location. Check out local nursing home first. What is available in your city that would suit the needs and requirements of the patient and family members? Using the Nursing Home Compare website at www.medicare.gov/NH-Compare or referrals from state or local sources is a good place to start.
Go on a location visit. Check out the facility. Talk to the administrator, health care providers, staff, patients and their family members. Thoroughly check out the type of care, the cleanliness of the facility, and the attitude of all involved. Also check out the patient/staff ratio to see if proper care can be administered.
Visit at different times of day. Check out times when the staff is particularly busy such as mealtimes and during shift changes, and when they may have less to do.
What services are available. Know what services are offered at the facility to ensure your loved one receives everything they need.
Check out the bathrooms and kitchen for cleanliness.
Ask questions. Do not hesitate to ask difficult questions and make sure you receive an answer. Do not let any skirt around the issues that are most important to you and your family.

Most families hesitate to seek a nursing home before there is a need, and that is understandable. No one wants to see their loved one in a home. The important consideration is to allow time to find the right match. When people wait until that last possible minute to find a nursing home, errors in judgement occur. We all want the best for our family member. Taking the time to research the best nursing home for our loved one will provide the best care possible for them and peace of mind for us and our families.