If you were considering living in a nursing home, what questions would you be asking yourself?

Answer 1

I work for Gilbert Guide, a company that reviews long-term care facilities. When we initially compile lists of skilled nursing unit (SNFs)—also known as nursing homes—in a new territory one of the first things we look at deficiencies and citations. SNFs are inspected at least every twelve to fifteen months. When a SNF fails to meet state and federal minimum standards for care, a deficiency is issued. A citation is issued when a SNF is fined for noncompliance with the state minimum standards. There are different levels of deficiencies—ranging from minor, which do not pose harm to residents, to major, which poses or causes harm to residents. It is important to keep in mind that most facilities receive some deficiencies and/or citations. Because of this, while Gilbert Guide has considered these in making our evaluations, they were not the sole basis of our determinations. (For more a more detailed report on these deficiencies, visit www.medicare.gov.) Safety, which is the backbone of quality care, is the number one issue, but there are many other factors to consider also.
Following are some of the additional areas we observe in our evaluation of each facility:

Facility Aesthetics

Parking availability
Neighborhood safety and appearance
Exterior appearance
Interior entrance appearance
Appearance of residents’ rooms
Appearance of dining area(s)
Adequate seating in halls and common areas
Appearance of outdoor gardens/patios
Overall facility ambience

Facility Condition & Safety

State of repair
Flooring condition
Clear signage
Hallways clear of obstacles
Adequate lighting
Overall temperature
Odor throughout facility
Odor throughout residents’ rooms/apartments
Overall state of cleanliness
Condition of mobility aids such as walkers and wheelchairs

Administration & Staff

Staff appearance
Staff camaraderie
Staff interaction with residents
Staff familiarity with residents
Attentiveness to residents
Attitude toward families
Friendliness and attitude
Ongoing training
Staff turnover

Residents

Residents’ overall appearance and hygiene
Residents’ overall energy level and mood
Residents’ interaction with staff and one another

Activities

Creative variety of activities scheduled
Activities appropriate for residents’ interests and abilities
Staff encouragement of residents’ participation
Residents’ participation in activities
Access to Medical Care
Proximity to emergency care
Transportation provided to off-site medical care

If Alzheimer’s or dementia care is provided then we also look for the following:

Alzheimer’s & Dementia Capabilities

Proper lighting (bright, even and warm)
Proper carpet and flooring (no busy patterns)
Specialized activities that reflect residents’ routines and skills
Structured routine for residents
Locked facility and proper security provided to prevent wandering
Specialized staff training for dementia
Residents’ participation in activities
Staff encouragement of residents’ participation
Staff-to-resident ratio

On top of all we also point out if special dietary or language needs can be met, the types of caregiver training along with its frequency, whether a registered dietician is onstaff, how old he building is along with its last remodel, and how long the management has been in place. And, last but definitely not least, the rates—and how often they are raised!

Answer 2

First ask about the staffing ratio, how many patients assigned to a staff member. There will be a difference between the daylight shift, afternoon shift and night shift. Is there a registered nurse on duty each shift? How is my money handled. what items are included in my bill every month? If you have something for dinner that I do not like, do i have the option of another food item? who does my laundry, do I have to mark my clothing, how long will it take to get it back. How often does the doctor visit? Can you provide me with a safe area to keep my valuables. How will you protect me from confused and disoriented patients. I am sorry, I just saw where you said-what questions would you be asking yourself. I thought you meant what would you be asking the nursing home. Well, maybe this will help if you decide to go into a nursing home.

Answer 3

Find out how many patients per cna at each shift that person has to take care of.I work at a nursing home and I do my best to take good care of all the residents I'm working with but there are just to many to care for them the way they should be cared for.Everything I do for them is so rushed .I would love to have more time with each person .More time to talk to them and help them get dressed and change them every 2 hours and still talk more .The residents I work with rarely get visitors so they need conversation,but they get very little of that unless they are going to an activity and then its not individual conversation.I have to take care of at least 12 residents a shift but sometimes its 14 .When we were severely under staffed one day I had to care for 24 residents in the day time when they were not in bed and they were having meals .That is when they should have the most staff.I would recommend home health care if I or a loved one couldn't go to an assisted living home.

Answer 4

Lots....does the nursing home do criminal backgrounds on ALL of it's employees. Do the employess appear to be kind and polite? Are the rooms private or semi private and is there a place to lock up any items that you might have that are valuable to you. Is their policy to educate and activate as opposed to medicate to keep patients calm and or sedated. Do they do the patients PERSONAL laundry on a semi weekly basis (some of the patients have incontinence problems and if they DONT do the laundry on a semi weekly basis then entire building will reek of urine) Are their daily activities. Do they allow TV's in the rooms as opposed to haveing an "Entertainment Room". There are So so so many things to look at before anyone moves to a nursing home.

Answer 5

I think in the NURSING HOMES the daily rates are fixed taking into the facilities they provide, just as in the case of Hotel. I also feel you can not ask particular facility and depending of the capacity to pay we get them.

Secondly we have to follow the rules of the Nursing Homes/Hospitals so that no disturbance is given to other patients.

Personally speaking i would see the cleanliness, calmness, visitors restrictions, food, other facilities and finally the CHARGES.

Answer 6

First of all, I would ask myself if I needed that level of care, or would assisted living be a better fit? Nursing home patients are there when they need nursing care because they can't take care of themselves, or they need rehab. Assisted living is for people who can dress and bathe themselves, are independent in mobility, and don't have dementia.

Answer 7

1.How much freedom i,d have to go places alone or with family?
2.Would they encourage me to get involved or leave me sitting in a chair day and night.?
3.If i had a specific ailment are they able to deal with it?
4.Am i allowed people in my room?
5.What kind of meals they provide?
6.Is there anything to try and stimulate my mind?
7.Is there a service to provide me with newspapers daily?
Those would be some of my questions,my biggest worry would be, to be left alone to sit and stare at a tv all day.Im a strong believer if you treat someone like an invalid thats what they,ll become.

Answer 8

Do they allow where you go out with any guest of your family relations and/or friends for a family business like the funeral?

Answer 9

what do i do to deserve this???????