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Choosing a nursing home for a family member can be one of
the most difficult decisions anyone ever has to make. The
fact that he needs to move to a nursing home means that he
is in a vulnerable state and will be dependent on the care
provided him in the facility. The following considerations
should help choose the best facility in an unfortunate situation:
1. Facility Certification and Financial Matters:
Is the facility certified by Medicare and Medicaid? How long
has the facility been certified?
2. Specialty Care Available: Does the facility
have an Alzheimer’s unit or other special care area
restricted to patients with special care needs? Is the specialty
unit separated from other areas of the facility?
3. Location: How convenient is the location
to family members and friend? What are visiting hours? Location
is important, because it can affect how often the patient
is visited by family and friends. Frequent visits generally
will improve the patient’s mental and emotional well
being, as well as ensure that quality of care issues can be
addressed as problems arise.
4. Physical Consideration: Is the facility
well lit, clean, safe, and welcoming? What diagnostic treatment
facilities are available at the facility? What bathing facilities
are available and how is bathing handled when the person needs
assistance?
5. Staffing: What is the ratio of staff to
residents during each shift?
6. Mental & Emotional Well Being of Patients:
What kind of activities are planned each day for
the residents? A good activities program should have regularly
scheduled events, such as a weekly movie or musical event
(even if it is just a “sing along” ), religious
services, physical exercise activities (exercise classes or
even dancing), bingo, educational classes, and other social
events. Is there a library available for residents with large
print and audio books? Is there a small for “store”
for purchasing personal items, such as shaving cream, hair
care products, and snacks? Is there a safe place for residents
to enjoy outdoor areas, such as an enclosed garden? Are plants,
pets, and other natural elements added to the residents’
environment? Are residents taken to special community events
and cultural activities?
7. Room Sharing and Furnishings: Will the
resident share a room and/or a bathroom
with one or more other residents? How are roommates and rooms
selected? If the resident is dissatisfied, can roommates be
changed and how is that accomplished? Can the resident bring
some of his or her own furniture?
8. The Resident’s Care Plan: Individual
care plans must be implemented with each
resident. How often is the care plan reviewed and changed?
What is the protocol for handling problems? A resident of
a nursing home must be under the care of a licensed physician.
The physician must evaluate the resident’s needs and
prescribe a program of medical care, including therapy, diet
restraints, and medication.
9. Employees: How are employees selected?
How are employees screened for drug use, criminal records,
and other potential problems? What is the turnover rate for
skilled employees? What is the turnover rate for employees
who perform ancillary services, such as meal preparation and
financial record keeping?
10. Physician: If there is a physician that
is used by the majority of residents, what are her qualifications?
How often is the doctor on premises? What is her bedside manner
with residents?
11. Meals: Are meals served in a communal
dining room or is each resident brought
her meal in her room? If communal, how are tables assigned
in the dining room? How long does it take for a meal to be
delivered to a bedridden resident? How does the food taste
and how is it presented to the resident? Is there a means
of heating food that has become cold?
12. Admission Requirements: What financial
information will the facility require
during the admissions process? Can the patient or his representative
have copies in advance of all admissions documents and contracts
for review? How long does the process take?
13. Cost of Care: What is included in the
cost of care? How are “extra” items billed? Can
laundry be taken off premises and does this save the resident
some costs? How are prescription drugs handled? What is the
cost difference between a private room and a semi-private
room?
14. Transportation Services: If required
non-emergency medical services are not available on premises
(such as dialysis), how is transportation arranged? What about
transportation to other places, such as local stores and religious
services?
15. CareScout.com. Check out the state surveys
of the facilities and customer satisfaction surveys available
at www.carescout.com.
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