Choosing a quality nursing home for yourself or a loved one is one of the most important decisions you may have to make. To assist you in the process you should consider the following:
- Certification and General Operations
- How long has the nursing home been in business?
- Are the nursing home and the current administrator licensed?
- Who runs the nursing home and how can you contact them?
- How many residents live in the nursing home?
- How many staff members are on duty for each shift?
- What training does the care staff receive?
- Does the nursing home have a special services unit including nursing home abuse training?
Agreement
- What does the agreement contain?
- What services are the resident responsible to pay for and when must payment be made?
- Under what circumstances will the nursing home request that the resident leave?
- What notice must the resident give the nursing home if he/she wants to leave?
Location
- Studies have shown that residents who are visited often may recover more quickly, is the location convenient so that friends and relatives can visit regularly?
- Does the location allow for the resident to attend the places he/she enjoys going to?
The Facility
- Are all areas of the facility easily accessible? (well lit, handicap accessible, elevators, etc.)
- In the case of an emergency, are call bells in bathrooms, bedrooms, and communal areas?
- Do the residents have easy access to private telephones?
- Does the nursing home look friendly, safe, clean, and comfortable?
- Do the residents and the staff members seem happy?
- Do the residents have private rooms or shared rooms?
- If the rooms are shared, will the rooms include something that ensures privacy for residents?
- Does the bedroom have a bathroom, if not are the bathrooms easily accessible?
- How many communal rooms are available, and are they comfortable and clean?
- Does the nursing home provide various types of entertainment and activities that you or your loved one are interested in?
- How many dining halls are available?
- Are the dining halls clean?
- Does the food taste good?
- Does the menu contain several choices including special dietary needs?
Care
- Will all health care needs be met?
- Is the resident permitted to keep his/her current physician?
- Does a physician visit the nursing home regularly, and is the physician on call 24 hours a day?
- Can the resident request the manner in which he/she is cared for, including gender of caretaker?
- How often does the facility launder the residents’ clothes?
Daily Routine
- Can the resident wake up and go to sleep when he/she wishes?
- Can the resident freely practice his/her religion?
- Are there any restrictions on when the resident can have visitors and the duration of how long the visitors can remain with the resident?
