What criteria should I use to choose a nursing home?

Question

Since I'll be living there a long time, and I only have Social Security, I'm concerned about living conditions and activities.

Answer 1

The link below has lots of good suggestions for evaluating a nursing home. They also have a nursing home checklist. Medicare also has a nursing home guide at the second link.

I visit those in nursing homes quite often. I think it's important to find one that keeps the residents happy, busy, and active. I'd suggest you visit homes and talk to people in them.

Answer 2

Check for cleanliness (does it SMELL OK?) Do the people living there seem active and interested in what they are doing, or are they just sitting around, watching TV, looking bored or depressed? Is the decor cheerful? Do they have sufficient staff to give personal attention to the residents? Is there a Registered Nurse present at all times? What activities are you interested in? Do they offer those? Do they have arrangements to take residents out to shop, go to the park, see a movie, etc. on a regular basis? What are the arrangements for meals---is the dining room pleasant and home-like, or does it look like a big cafeteria? Does the furniture look well-maintained, or is it sagging, stained or uncomfortable? Can you have a private room, or choose a room-mate? What are the rules about smoking?

Answer 3

verify for cleanliness (does it scent ok?) Do the persons residing there look energetic and thinking approximately what they are doing, or are they only sitting around, looking television, staring at bored or depressed? Is the decor thoroughly chuffed? Do they have sufficient workers to offer individual expertise to the voters? Is there a Registered Nurse present frequently? What pastimes are you fascinated via? Do they contemporary those? Do they have arrangements to take voters out to purchase, bypass to the park, see a movie, and many others. on a tender commencing up? What are the arrangements for meals---is the ingesting room first-fee and place of abode-like, or does it look like a large cafeteria? Does the fixtures look sturdy-maintained, or is it sagging, stained or uncomfortable? are you able to've have been given a individual room, or choose on a room-mate? What are the concepts approximately smoking?

Answer 4

You should use a number of criteria. First, I would look at staff to patient ratio. second, I would make sure that the facility is clean. Next, the occupant should be happy with the home as this will be their home. You might want to look up or do research on the facility to make sure there are no major health care issues with the facility.
It is important that the staff is available to you for answering questions, encourages you to visit with your loved one and also has some social programs for the occupants to utilize the time.
Lastly, I would consider the cost. With this type of thing, you get what you pay for. Good luck, Dianne

Answer 5

Go and talk to the residents, and not ones that the admissions office gives you. Talk to families and see what they think. Again not the ones from the admissions office, they give you the ones who will only say good things. Try and arrange to look at the activities calender as well as talk to the activities coordinator. Try to observe a meal and see how the food looks as well as the residents, nurses and families reaction to it. Also look at the additional services they offer, weekly shopping trips, movie nights, or going out out eat.
Also look at the yearly state survey results anything more than a couple deficiencies and there could be habitable problems.

Answer 6

Take a tour of some of the ones you're looking at. Talk to some of the people living there. You hear bad things about Nursing homes all the time. Choose carefully and wisely...stay safe.

Answer 7

I would talk directly with residents, and their family members, if permitted from them. There are a lot of things to be careful about. So recommendations are usually the most honest. Don't feel awkward and just ask some questions.
Good luck

Answer 8

AH GOOD QUESTION? i have an ANSWER. Your state should have an agency that files complaints against nursing homes etc. I would try you Better Business Beau or maybe an agency called D.A.D. Goto your states main website and it should be able to direct your answers. Seriously those two agency's should have more than enough information on nursing homes.

Answer 9

Ask them what their nurse to patient ratio is.
Ask them what activities they have, and ask to see one of the rooms.
Also, (and this is a biggie) ask too see their State Survey and read it cover to cover. This details what, if anything, the state found wrong on the last inspection they did.

Answer 10

How would you like to be treated; what activities you would like to do; what type of food you would like to eat; is it close enough for your relatives to visit; do they have internet access; what do they do on holidays? All these questions should be answered because it is going to be your home so make it comfortable enough for you to accept the transition... Good luck...