News
Finding the Right Nursing Home
Not all nursing homes are created equal. Although there are guidelines in each state that set out clear regulations that nursing homes must follow, not all nursing homes are in compliance. But mere compliance with regulations is not the only criteria you should consider when searching for the right nursing home for a loved one.
Important factors to consider when looking at a nursing home are characteristics such as number of beds, type of ownership and whether or not the nursing home participates in Medicare, Medicaid or both. Be sure to obtain a summary report about the nursing home from their last State inspection. Statistics to look for that can give you an indication of the level of care include the percentage of residents with pressure sores and percent of residents with urinary incontinence. You should also ask for information on the number of registered nurses, licensed practical or vocational nurses, and nursing assistants in each nursing home.
It is important to pay a personal visit to each nursing home you are considering. Look for the following indicators:
- Quality of the food in regards to nutrition, choices and assistance at meal time.
- Any unpleasant odors are an indicator of bigger problems dealing with the treatment of the residents and the cleanliness of the facility.
- Response time of staff to residence in distress.
- Location should be close to family and friends. Having visitors stopping by often and unexpectedly can help ensure that your loved one is being treated well.
- The levels of care and any specialty services that may be needed are offered.
- The certifications and credentials of the staff, and the ratio of staff members to the number of residents.
- The other residents and their levels of needs and ability to socialize. They are going to be your loved one's new roommates, companions, and friends so they are very important.
Nursing home residents have rights that are protected by law. Remember that simply because you are in a nursing home you should not be at a loss for your humanity and dignity. Resident rights include:
- Respect: You have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
- Services and Fees: You must be informed in writing about services and fees before you enter the nursing home.
- Money: You have the right to manage your own money or to choose someone else you trust to do this for you.
- Privacy: You have the right to privacy, and to keep and use your personal belongings and property as long as it doesn't interfere with the rights, health, or safety of others.
- Medical Care: You have the right to be informed about your medical condition, medications, and to see you own doctor. You also have the right to refuse medications and treatments
In addition to State reports, the Medicare web site (www.medicare.gov) provides an interactive tool that allows Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers to access comparison information about nursing homes. It contains information on every Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing home in the country, including over 17,000 nationwide.