When selecting a nursing home, many elderly people and their families do not know what to look for. Choosing the right long-term care facility can be challenging, especially if there are multiple options available.
There are a few key criteria that you should consider when evaluating nursing homes. Follow these tips to identify the best facility for you or your loved one.
Make a List of Your Priorities
Before selecting a nursing home, it is important to consider the priorities of you or your loved one. Make a list of traits, services, and other factors that you want for your future care home.
For example, you may want to live in a facility that serves people of a certain faith. You may also want a home that offers good meals, physical therapy, or special units for medical conditions like Alzheimer’s or dementia.
During your search, you can use this list to identify potential facilities and narrow down your list.
Speak to Friends, Families, and Community Members
One of the best ways to find the right nursing home is to speak with others about their experiences.
Talk to friends, family members, and other trusted individuals to see if they have any recommendations. You can also talk to trusted community members, such as religious leaders, social workers, and healthcare providers about potential options.
Schedule In-Person Appointments
Once you’ve created a list of potential nursing homes, call each facility and schedule an in person appointment. When scheduling this appointment, do not be afraid to ask questions to further inform your search. For example, if you want information about the cost of the facility, ensure that you ask the facility over the phone.
Bring a Checklist and Ask Questions
When visiting the facility, it is important to be prepared. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have a comprehensive checklist that can help inform your search. This checklist encourages you to look for the following factors while visiting nursing facilities.
Whether the facility has Medicare and Medicaid certification
Whether the residents of the facility look healthy and well taken care of
Whether the nursing staff treat the residents with care and respect
Whether the nursing home has handicap access to important facilities
Whether the facility has an arrangement for emergencies with a nearby hospital
Whether the facility offers recreational activities to support residents’ wellness
You should also prepare a list of questions in advance to ensure that you gain the right information during your visit. Think back to your initial list and use it as a starting point for creating queries.
Make an Unannounced Visit
Before making your final decision, try to visit each facility without making a prior appointment. This will help you see whether the facility truly lives up to your expectations even when it is not expecting visitors.
Abused at a Nursing Home? Speak to an Attorney
These tips can help you choose the right nursing home for you and your loved one. However, mistreatment is rampant in long-term care facilities. It is still possible for nursing home abuse to occur, even after you carefully vet the facility. If you or a loved one has experienced abuse at a nursing home, you need an attorney on your side. An Augusta nursing home abuse lawyer can advocate for your rights and help you hold the facility accountable. Speak to an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your next steps.
