Choosing a nursing home can be a daunting task for you or your loved one. You will want to make sure the facility can provide the best medical and personal care for you or your loved one. Whether you are looking for short-term rehabilitation or long-term care, the following guide will help you in evaluating the important factors when determining what nursing home is best for you or your loved one.
Table of contents
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Location and Accessibility
The location of the nursing home is an essential factor to consider. Make sure that it is close enough for family and friends to visit frequently, as well as be in close proximity to other hospitals or medical facilities in case of an emergency, and also want to ensure that the facility is easily accessible and that transportation is readily available.
Quality of Care
One of the primary concerns when looking at a potential nursing home is the level of care that you or your loved one will receive. This includes determining the staff-to-resident ratio and finding out the qualifications, training, experience, and background checks of the staff. Inquire about the method of diagnosing and treating illnesses and diseases, as well as the frequency and conduct of care conferences. Some questions you may want to consider asking about the quality of care include:
- Staff-to-resident ratio
- Staff qualifications, training, and experience
- Staff background checks
- Process for diagnosing and treating illness and disease
- Care conferences and how they are conducted
- Facility Cleanliness and Comfort
Facility Cleanliness and Comfort
Checking that the facility is clean and comfortable. When touring the facility, observe the hygiene and maintenance of common areas, bedrooms, restrooms, and the kitchen. You may also want to determine if the living situation includes comfortable, clean bedrooms and furniture, adequate storage space, adequate lighting, and working windows. Some questions you may want to consider asking about facility cleanliness and comfort include:
- Cleanliness and maintenance of common areas, bedrooms, restrooms, and the kitchen
- Comfort and cleanliness of bedrooms and furniture
- Adequate storage space
- Adequate lighting
- Working windows
Activities and Social Opportunities
While physical and medical needs are important, mental stimulation and opportunities for socializing are also essential for a fulfilling experience in a nursing home. Inquire about activities such as arts and crafts, games, exercise, and other activities. Determine if there are opportunities for residents to watch TV, movies, or listen to music, as well as activities that enable residents to stay in touch with their communities or engage with other residents. Some questions you may want to consider asking about activities and social opportunities include:
- Arts and crafts
- Games
- Exercise
- Other activities
- Opportunities to watch TV, movies, or listen to music
- Activities to stay in touch with the community
- Activities to engage with other residents
Safety and Security Measures
For your protection and peace of mind, find out about the safety and security measures the facility has in place. Inquire about secure exterior doors and fences, emergency call systems, handrails in hallways, and grab bars in the bathrooms. You may also want to ask about procedures for handling emergency situations, such as a fire or a missing resident. Some questions you may want to consider asking about safety and security measures include:
- Secure exterior doors and fences
- Emergency call systems
- Handrails in hallways
- Grab bars in the bathrooms
Procedures for handling emergencies, such as a fire or a missing resident.
Resource: ageinplace.org
Safety and Security Measures
For your protection and peace of mind, find out about the safety and security measures the facility has in place. Inquire about secure exterior doors and fences, emergency call systems, handrails in hallways, and grab bars in the bathrooms. You may also want to ask about procedures for handling emergency situations, such as a fire or a missing resident. Some questions you may want to consider asking about safety and security measures include:
- Secure exterior doors and fences
- Emergency call systems
- Handrails in hallways
- Grab bars in the bathrooms
Procedures for handling emergencies, such as a fire or a missing resident.
Cost and Financial Considerations
The cost of a nursing home varies, so make sure you know what the cost entails. You may want to ask about the cost of additional services as well as what financial assistance programs the facility participates in. Don’t forget to find out about payment options and insurance/Medicaid coverage. Some questions you may want to consider asking about cost and financial considerations include:
- Insurance/Medicaid coverage
- Cost and what is included
- Cost of additional services
- Payment options
- Financial assistance programs that the facility participates in
Food and Nutrition
Proper nutrition plays an important role in recovery and health, so be sure to find out about mealtime at the facility. Ask if the food is prepared on-site and if there are meal options for residents. Find out if the facility can meet any dietary needs or restrictions, such as low-sodium or kosher diets. You may also want to eat a meal at the facility or ask residents about the quality of the food. Some questions you may want to consider asking about food and nutrition include:
- Food preparation on-site
- Ability to meet dietary needs or restrictions such as low-sodium or kosher diets
- Meal options for residents
Resource: law.cornell.edu
Personalization of Care
Each person is unique, and you will want to ensure that the facility will meet those individual needs. Ask about assessments and care plans, which should be completed for each resident, and find out how the care plan would be altered if the resident’s needs change. You may also want to determine if residents have the option to personalize their rooms. Some questions you may want to consider asking about personalization of care include:
- Assessments and care plans completed for each resident
- Alteration of the care plan if the resident’s needs change
- Option to personalize resident rooms
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right nursing home for you or your loved one is a big decision, and there are a lot of factors to consider. Based on the information provided in this guide, you will be better equipped to make an informed decision. The right choice can make all the difference in the comfort, health, and well-being of you or your loved one. If you have additional questions regarding nursing home admission, contact AgeWell to schedule an appointment.