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Nursing Homes: Making An Informed Decision

There are many things you should do when you are making the decision to place a loved one in the care of a nursing home. First, there is several different service levels offered by nursing homes, based on the type of care your loved one needs. Service level 1 is basic, including house hold chores, laundry services and cooking food. Level 2 may include assistance in walking, bathing, toilet assistance, therapy and other medical needs. Finally, there is level 3. In this level almost every activity requires assistance; this may include severe therapy, pain management or feeding.

After you’ve decided which type of care needs to be received then you can tour facilities. If possible both the person needing the care as well as the person giving the care should be involved in the process. This will help everyone adjust to the transition much more smoothly.
Here is a brief checklist that might help you ask some questions and make observations when touring the nursing home or assisted living facilities.


The Facility

Look around. Are things kept clean? Are places easy to get in and out of – are there handrails and wheelchair accessible doorways? Can the facility be easily evacuated? Are there strange smells? Does everything work (call buttons, telephones, televisions)? Is it too cold or too hot?

Staff and Care

How are you treated when you visit? Is the atmosphere pleasant – is the staff welcoming and respectful of you and your situation? Can you see how the staff is treating other clients? Are residents happy, clean, and dressed? Is the food hot and tasty? Do they answer your questions and genuinely seem interested in you? Are there planned activities and/or social events? Are they interesting?

Administration

Check up on the facility. Is it in good standing with the state inspectors? How much are you paying and is it reasonable? Have fees gone way up in the last couple years? What kinds of services are included in the cost? Ask about billing and accounting procedures. What are the visiting hours? Are they reasonable? What type of therapeutic services are available and relevant? Are any community organizations involved? Do the care workers have the appropriate background and education?

Remember that when you are taking a tour of the facility to look beyond the lobby. The lobby will always be designed to pull you in – make sure that you are happy and comfortable with the nursing home that you choose. Look around, take your time and don’t feel that you have to visit just one or two facilities. It may also be a good idea to visit the same nursing home more than once. This will help you double check their standards and ensure everything is consistent between visits. Be prepared and well-informed so that you can truly place your family member in a facility full of love and care.