If you or a family member is contemplating a move to a nursing home, it's important to choose wisely. Not all nursing homes are comfortable or even safe places. Furthermore, there are many factors to consider when making your selection. These factors include:
- Your loved one's physical health and medical needs
- Their mental health
- The proximity of the home to family and friends
- Visiting hours
- The physical security both of the facility, and of the individual rooms
You really cannot do too much research or planning when it comes to making this choice. But if you do diligent online research, coupled with in-person visits, you should be able to avoid facilities that are implicated in abuses such as medical malpractice ,uncleanliness, or crime.
What to Keep in Mind
The first step is to make a list of the things that are important to you in a facility, in descending order. For example, top of the list requirements might include a licensed and Medicare- certified facility; first rate medical and/or mental health care; 24-hour nursing staff; physical security; cleanliness; well-maintained emergency protocols; and a competent, caring staff. Secondary concerns might include good and varied meals, liberal visiting hours for friends and family, the availability of transportation for outings, a wide range of planned activities, access to religious services, and a generous amount of autonomy for your loved one - the freedom to decorate her own room, for example. Other less vital concerns might be whether your loved one can keep a pet, the availability of beauty shop or dental appointments on site, and amenities like an outdoor recreation area, library or "living room."
What to Research
Once you have a short list of possibilities, it's very important to do thorough research on each facility's record. Have there been any complaints against the facility, and if so, how many, how recent, and how serious? You can call your state's health department or licensing agency for a written report on a nursing home's quality of care. You can also call your state's long-term care ombudsman (i.e. public advocate) to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of specific nursing homes.
Visiting the Facility
It's also vitally important to make at least one in-person visit to any facility you're considering, and ideally, several visits. An in-person visit will tell you all the things a written report can't: Does the facility look and smell clean? Do the residents look reasonably content and well cared for? How does the staff behave towards residents - are they respectful and courteous, or do they seem indifferent, irritated or short-tempered? What kind of meals are being served? Are there any visible safety hazards, such as loose handrails, torn carpet or inadequate lighting? An in-person visit can tip you off to facilities that might be guilty of nursing home neglect ,or even abuse. It's wise to make at least one unannounced visit to the facility.
Neglect
Everyone wants the best possible nursing home care for a sick or elderly loved one, but sadly, sometimes a nursing home fails in its responsibility towards its residents. In the case that a loved one is treated below proper standards of a care facility, and has suffered injury or worse as a result, it is important to know where you can find help. A personal injury or wrongful death lawyer can help you if your loved one has been the victim of a negligent or abusive nursing home, contact us today .
No matter what care facility you choose, it is important to visit often in order to prevent any possibility of neglect. Proper research and visits will allow you to rest easy, knowing that you family member is well cared for, happy and comfortable.