Choosing the Right Nursing Home for Your Family
Moving a loved one to a nursing home is a big decision for any family. Finding a home that will provide a safe and positive environment at an affordable cost is the number one priority. With so many nursing homes and assisted living facilities in a variety of locations, how do you choose the right one?
Most homes look good from the outside, but to find out what is really going on inside, it is important to look beneath the surface.
Preliminary Research
Before you invest time in visiting potential facilities, do some research. Ask friends, family members, your physicians or other people in your community for recommendations.
Visit the Medicare website, www.Medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare. This site provides unbiased information on the quality of every Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing home in the country. Here you will find survey results, ratings and a listing of any citations the facility has received.
Once you have found a few homes that meet your requirements, schedule a visit. The first time, it is best to call ahead and make an appointment with someone who is authorized to give you a tour and answer your questions. Remember, you will be entrusting the care of your beloved family member to this facility. Do not be afraid to ask multiple questions or visit as often as you need to feel comfortable.
Making the Most of Your Visits
Here are some recommended questions to ask during your visit:
- What kinds of social, recreational, religious or cultural activities are available? Are these programs held on the premises or does the home provide transportation to another location?
- How is medical care handled? Will you, or your family member, be able to continue seeing your current physicians? If your doctors cannot visit the nursing home, is transportation to their offices provided?
- What are the staffing ratios? How many residents does each Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) work with during each shift? How many Registered Nurses (RNs) are on duty at any given time?
- Is therapy (physical and occupational) available on-site? If not, will transportation be provided to an off-site center if therapy is required?
- Does the nursing home make sure residents get preventive care such as routine exams, flu shots, and other immunizations?
- Are specialists such as eye doctors, dentists and podiatrists available to see residents on a regular basis? If not, does the facility make arrangements, including scheduling appointments and providing transportation, for residents to visit specialists when necessary?
- What kind of mental health care is available?
- What is the facility’s policy regarding the use of anti-psychotic medications?
- How is the staff trained to handle residents who become agitated? Are restraints ever used? If so, under what circumstances?
- How does the home ensure that each resident’s dietary needs are met?
- What measures are in place to prevent dehydration or malnutrition?
- Is staff available to provide assistance during mealtime?
- What kind of emergency procedures are in place, and how often do drills and staff training occur?
- What kinds of fall prevention measures and other safety features are present?
Things to Look for
If your first visit went well, go again, this time without calling ahead. Try to go on a different day of the week at a different time. Visit as often as necessary to get a true feel for the facility and the staff. If you are unsure, bring along a friend or relative you trust to give an honest opinion.
When you come across other people who are visiting their loved ones, don’t be afraid to ask them how their family member likes the home. Ask what they like about it and what things, if any, they are not pleased with.
Make sure at least one of your visits takes place during mealtime. Does the food look appealing? Are the residents socializing with one another? Are there enough staff members in the dining room to help those who need assistance?
Be on the lookout for safety hazards in the hallways and other common areas. Are there handrails along the walls? Is there enough light so residents can move safely from one part of the facility to another?
Notice the general mood of the residents and staff members. Do the residents seem engaged in whatever activities they are involved in? Does the staff interact with them in a kind and compassionate manner?
“Choosing a nursing home or long-term care facility for yourself or a family member is one of the most important decisions you will ever make,” says Mark Bernstein of The Sam Bernstein Law Firm. “Unfortunately, there are many facilities that do not live up to their promises. That is why, even after a decision has been made, it is important to remain vigilant for signs of abuse or neglect.”
Nursing home neglect law is complicated, but finding the right lawyer is simple. If you or a loved one is being abused or neglected in a nursing home, call us immediately. Our experienced and compassionate lawyers will help keep your loved one safe while we fight to win the compensation you and your family deserve.
Call 1-800-MALPRACTICE today for a free no-obligation consultation.
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