How to Choose a Nursing Home
Given the statistics that more than 30% of the country’s
nursing homes have been cited for nursing home abuse causing
“actual harm to residents or put them in immediate jeopardy”,
it is becoming increasingly important to make sure the nursing
home facility chosen meets certain guidelines and regulations.
The nursing home quality of care and respect given to every
nursing home resident is one of the most important things
people should observe during the search for a suitable nursing
home in order to avoid instances of nursing home abuse. By
bringing a checklist it can help record everything that has
been observed during nursing home visits.
Good points to ask/observe at nursing homes to prevent nursing
home abuse can include:
- If the nursing home is certified by Medicare and Medicaid
then these facilities are required by law to let you see
their surveys.
- Seeing the latest state inspection report, noting the
date it was made.
- What the turnover rate of the nursing home staff is.
- If other nursing home residents show signs of visible
elder abuse, such as bruises.
- If nursing home residents receive immediate attention.
- If nursing home residents receive privacy.
- Talk to other nursing home residents and observe their
reactions and answers closely.
- Observe the cleanliness of the nursing home facility,
not just on surface appearances which can be deceiving.
- Visit the nursing home facility at different times to
observe different staff and if the treatment of nursing
home residents remain consistent.
- Visit nursing home facilities unannounced so nursing home
staff is unable to prepare their reactions.
- Eat a meal at the cafeteria to sample the food.
- Observe if any social or recreational activities are planned
and how they are conducted.
- Observe if the residents appear to enjoy being with the
nursing home staff.
- If the nursing home staff knows the nursing home residents
by name.
- Even after picking a nursing home facility continue to
observe in the future.
These can be some good points to include on a nursing home
checklist. Compare nursing home facilities and try to include
the nursing home resident in the selection if possible. By
taking your time during the nursing home search it can better
prevent more instances of nursing home abuse from occurring.
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