Choosing a nursing home is an important decision. Only you can decide if a nursing home is the right choice for you or your loved one. There are steps you can take to find the facility that is best for you. It’s important to plan ahead. Planning ahead will help you make a nursing home choice that meets your needs and gives you quality care.
Steps:
Find out about nursing homes in your area. a. Look at www.medicare.gov on the web. Select “Nursing Home Compare” where you can find detailed information on facilities in your area. b. Ask the hospital’s discharge planner or social worker for a list of local nursing homes. c. Visit or call your local social service agency. d. Ask people you trust, like your physician, family friends or clergy if they have had personal experience with any nursing home. e. Call your Area Agency on Aging. Their telephone number should be listed in your local telephone directory. This agency can give you information on nursing homes in your area. Or go to www.aoa.gov and select “Elders and Families.” Then select “How to Find Help.”
Find out how nursing homes compare in quality. a. Ask friends and other people you know if they are or were satisfied with the quality of care received in a particular nursing home. b. Call your State Health department and ask for information on the quality of a nursing home. c. Call your Long-Term Care Ombudsman. The Ombudsman visits nursing homes and speaks with resident/patients routinely. They are a good source of general information about the facility.
Visit the nursing homes you are interested in. a. Ask about the services that are provided, can they provide the level of care you need? b. Do the residents appear well groomed and engaged in enjoyable, meaningful activities? c. Is the staff friendly, cheerful and respectful to the residents? d. Are the facility and grounds attractive, the rooms well lit and the atmosphere warm and welcoming?
The following checklist was designed to guide you in evaluating the facilities you visit and help you select the skilled nursing facility that best suits your needs. Print it out and take it with you as you visit each facility. Weigh the factors listed under each of the categories and rate the facility "2" for outstanding, "1" for acceptable or "0" for unacceptable. After you've evaluated each category, add the scores and compare the totals.
