Deciding on a nursing home for you or a loved one is a big step, and it’s not one you should take lightly. It’s important that you consider all options as well as any downsides to nursing homes before making this choice.
Is choosing a nursing home the right move, and how do you find the right one?
Here are five factors you should consider before choosing a nursing home.
1. Look for Red Flags
The number one priority when choosing nursing homes should be the level of care provided. Examining the nursing home’s history should tell you if the facility has any instances of past abuse or if there is a nursing home neglect lawsuit against them. This will tell you if they have a history of patient abuse or neglect.
If your loved one has suffered nursing home abuse, you should take legal action.
2. Services Offered
What type of services does the nursing home offer, and are they suitable for the resident? Do they have 24-hour emergency care and medication monitoring? Do they provide the resident assistance getting dressed, bathing, or using the toilet if necessary?
Determine what services are necessary and whether those services are available.
3. How Easy It Is to Visit
It’s best to visit the facility in person and examine some of the rooms and common areas if possible. Nursing home rooms can be somewhat small to accommodate visitors. If you and your family love to meet up for holidays and gatherings, it may not be easy or even possible at a nursing home.
Check the facility rules for family visits.
4. Staff
Does the nursing home have adequate staff, and are the staff qualified? Many nursing homes fall short when it comes to having the proper staff on hand to assist residents. Thankfully, there are tools you can use to check on the staffing information.
Make sure the nursing home has enough staff to attend to all residents and that there is no history of poor management.
5. Level of Freedom
Making a move to a nursing home often means that your loved one loses out on certain opportunities, and they may feel like they’re losing their independence. If possible, they should have the option to make choices, such as nursing home activities they want to participate in or when they go to bed at night.
Some nursing home facilities let residents choose what they want to eat from a menu instead of offering them a set meal. This can make a big difference. Food should also taste good as well as be nutritional, and they should be able to cater to specific dietary needs.
Are Nursing Homes the Right Choice?
There are pros and cons to choosing nursing homes, and it isn’t an easy decision to make. Learning about a nursing home and what the facility has to offer is the first step to deciding whether it’s the right choice. Use these five tips to get started.
For more tips like these, be sure to check out the other sections on our site for home, health, and lifestyle advice.
