HOW TO CHOOSE A NURSING HOME
The Challenge
It is an obvious fact: nursing homes and assisted living facilities have become big business today. And because of the surge of "Boomers" in our aging population, more people than ever before will be needing elder care. The numbers are staggering. And a system already fraught with problems is going to be assaulted with many more.
Without the help of governmental and various individual support organizations … and the necessary diligence of dedicated care givers within an elder’s circle of family and friends … the possibilities for neglect and abuse can become overwhelming. It is big business, and that can mean big problems. Bottom line profits can too often squeeze the quality of attentive and knowledgeable care.
The Search
On the following page we have provided a list of some of the more respected sources of information regarding nursing home and assisted living facility selection and care. Many are best accessed by the Internet, and we list their website addresses so you can delve deeply into the details they provide.
From evaluation of facilities
(www.medicare.gov…"Nursing Home Compare") to resident’s Bills of Rights (Florida Statutes) to recognizing and dealing with specific problems (www.nursinghomeaction.com), there is a wealth of information and assistance. We have listed 15 sites (there are many more) we believe can be most helpful.
The List
Once you know what the facilities are expected to provide, understand the specific rights of residents, have reviewed the evaluations (including the last State of Florida inspection of the most promising facilities), you should prepare a list of those you believe would be best for your loved one. These factors will include, of course:
- Quality of care
- Experience and size of the staff
- Cost
- Location … and more.
But until you visit the nursing home or assisted living facility yourself, you cannot adequately judge it. After all, your loved one is actually going to
live there.
The Visit
There is no substitute for a first-hand look to view and sense the place, its staff and its residents.
- Do the residents appear well cared for? Are they involved in meaningful activity and interaction?
- Is the staff pleasant and attentive? Do they respond quickly and
with care?
- Is the facility clean? Neat? Free of unpleasant odors?
- Look at the actual room your loved one will reside in. Is it private or semi-private? Is it properly equipped and comfortable looking?
- If there will be a roommate, talk to them to be sure the roommates will be a good fit.
- Talk to other residents to see if they are happy and alert
and comfortable.
Look beyond what the facility wants you to see, so you can see what is really there. And ask questions … all the questions you want to. After all, this is a significant decision in your life and that of the loved one depending upon you.
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