Choosing a nursing home for yourself or a loved one is an important decision that requires careful research and consideration. With so many options to choose from, finding one that provides quality care in a comfortable environment can be a daunting task.
However, the decision ultimately depends on how well a nursing home aligns with the unique preferences, values, and specialized care needs of the individual resident. Taking the time to thoroughly assess all aspects of nursing home options through research, in-person tours, staff interviews, and reflection will give you confidence in choosing the right fit. This article provides 10 essential tips to help you pick the right nursing home.
1. Define Your Priorities and Must-Haves
Creating a list of your top priorities and must-haves will help focus your nursing home search. Consider factors like location, costs, types of rooms, staff-to-resident ratios, and anything else important to you or your loved one. Rank these priorities so you can easily narrow down options that do not meet your needs.
For example, if having your loved one close by for frequent visits is most important, only look at nursing homes within a 15-20 minute drive. If you or your loved one requires specialized Alzheimer’s or dementia care, only consider nursing homes with dedicated memory care units and specifically trained staff. Defining priorities upfront makes the research process more efficient.
2. Consider Specialized Care Needs
If you or your loved one has specific medical conditions or needs, look for nursing homes that specialize in relevant care such as dialysis, ventilator or tracheostomy dependence, ostomy care, bariatric care, or rehabilitation therapies. Dementia and Alzheimer’s units with specially trained staff are ideal for memory care patients.
Moreover, ensure that the facility has a strong association with a reputable long term care pharmacy. Such a pharmacy guarantees that residents receive timely and specialized medications tailored to their unique needs. Matching specialized services with individual needs provides better health outcomes.
3. Research Options in Your Area
There are many online resources that allow you to research and compare nursing homes in your desired location. Find sites that provide detailed information on local nursing homes and offer side-by-side comparisons of multiple facilities in your city or state. Compare overall ratings, health inspection results, staffing ratios, complaints, and penalties for each nursing home.
Look for nursing homes with 4-5 star overall quality ratings, which indicate above-average care and services. Compile a list of 3-5 options that meet your standards on paper. This will give you a shortlist to begin scheduling in-person tours and interviews. The best insights will come from visiting facilities yourself, but comprehensive online research gives you a solid starting point.
4. Schedule In-Person Tours
It is essential to visit potential nursing homes in person to get first-hand experience. Call ahead to schedule appointments for tours and interviews. Take note of how the staff interacts with residents during your visit. Are they patient, friendly, and attentive? Or do they seem rushed, impersonal, or rude?
Observe the cleanliness, smells, noise levels, and general environment. Would you feel comfortable living there? Ask to see a vacant room and sample the food. Get a feel for the nursing home’s culture and community. Use this time to ask questions and gain insights you cannot glean from websites.
5. Review Ratings and Inspection Reports
Use Medicare’s Nursing Home state inspection reports to review detailed information about the quality of care measures, health deficiencies, complaints, penalties, and fines. Issues like understaffing, poor hygiene, untreated bed sores, or medication errors can indicate larger systemic problems and are red flags.
However, one or two minor violations that were promptly addressed may not be dealbreakers. Look at the full scope of each nursing home’s regulatory track record when weighing options.
6. Talk to Staff at All Levels
During your nursing home visits, make time to interview administrators, nurses, certified nursing assistants, activity coordinators, social workers, and other staff. Inquire about employee turnover rates, required training, and general attitudes about their jobs. High staff turnover can signal underlying issues with management.
Look for nursing homes that require thorough training and education for all new hires. Get a sense that staff enjoy their jobs and take pride in providing quality care. Also, ask about staff-to-resident ratios to ensure adequate daily staffing. The staff’s morale and competence have a significant impact on the quality of care.
7. Observe and Assess Resident Care
Spend time observing how staff interacts with and assists residents during your tour. Notice whether call lights are answered promptly. Are residents receiving help with eating, mobility, hygiene, and other daily tasks when needed? Or does the staff seem too rushed or overwhelmed? Proper resident care should be apparent as you walk through the nursing home.
Look for signs of quality care like good grooming and hygiene, clean clothes and living spaces, and residents who appear engaged in social and physical activities.
8. Evaluate Activities and Amenities
A nursing home’s activity calendar and amenities impact quality of life. Look for a robust schedule of activities like crafts, music, lectures, exercise classes, gardening, trivia, and outings. Outdoor courtyards, gardens, and walking paths create space to enjoy fresh air. Availability of transportation for appointments and errands maintains independence.
Life enrichment activities and amenities help residents stay active and engaged.
9. Weigh Costs and Payment Options
Make sure to factor in all costs associated with nursing home care, such as monthly fees, private rooms, therapy and specialized medical services, and extra amenities.
Know what payment types each facility accepts, including private pay, long-term care insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid. Medicaid nursing homes often have long waitlists, so apply early if needed. Weigh costs against quality of care and services to get the best value.
10. Trust Your Instincts
No amount of research and planning replaces visiting nursing homes in person and trusting your instincts.
Consider input from loved ones, but ultimately choose the nursing home you feel most comfortable with based on direct observations of care, staff, activities, environment, and culture. The right nursing home will “feel like home” while providing personalized care. Go with your gut instinct to find the best fit.
Conclusion
Selecting a nursing home for yourself or a loved one requires significant research and consideration. Defining your priorities, thoroughly evaluating options both on paper and in person, studying detailed information on quality of care, and weighing costs will guide you through this important decision. Most importantly, visit nursing homes to directly observe care practices, staff interactions, and the overall environment and culture. Choosing a nursing home that meets individual needs and preferences will provide the best experience.
