How To Choose A Really Good Nursing Home

Choosing the best nursing home takes time and research. It's a terribly difficult decision to make and often, one feels guilty. Empower yourself and your family.

Steps

1. Go on the internet or use your phone book and find 5 nursing homes close to you.
2. Call the homes and make arrangements for a tour of the facility. Be aware of the way the staff answers the phone, your questions, and their demeanour. It says a lot about possible stress levels.
3. Write out a list of your questions regarding the level of care of your loved one. Take your time, think about what your specific concerns are.
4. Upon entering the facility, note your first impressions. Is it bright? Clean? Airy? Comfortable? Welcoming?
5. Note how you are received by the reception staff. Are they courteous? Do they immediately welcome you? Give you eye contact? Do they ask if you'd like a cup of coffee or tea while you're waiting for your tour guide? Are they accomodating to any special needs?
6. Ask for an information package on the facility. The tour guide should give you one. The tour guide will go into a speech about how "wonderful" their nursing home is. Trust your own eyes and ears.
7. Be aware of surroundings, Residents, family members, staff, odors, sounds... it's all important.
8. Look at other residents, particularly ones that seem the most impared; do they look clean and neat? Do they look well cared for? Are their face hands and hair clean?
9. Notice the atmosphere on the units. Is it calm? Are the staff busy? Note how the staff are speaking to the residents.
10. Look at the floor in the corners; look at the walls, under beds at the furnishings. Are they clean and well maintained?

Tips

• Take a pad of paper and a pen, and take notes. You might forget what you liked and disliked about each one as you tour several places.
• Really look at the residents and staff. Is everyone content? Are there smiles? Are there call-bell lights over the doors on constantly? (this is a sign of possible over-worked staff or short-staffing which means the resident might have to wait for response to their call).
• If you see or hear something that disturbs you, ask about it! Bring it to someone's attention and make sure you get a satisfactory answer.
• Talk to family members you see in the hallways or rooms. Are they happy? Are they pleased with the service and care?
• Do a search, if you can, on praise and/or complaints about the nursing homes. If there has been trouble, someone somewhere will have complained about it.
• Ask nurses at the local hospital for their opinions. Ask if they'd heard anything good or bad about specific homes in the area.
• Don't be rushed through the facility. If there's something you wish to see, they should accomodate you and show you. Ask to see all units. Ask to see the room where they would house your loved one.
• If you happen to know someone or recognize someone living in the nursing home, make a note of it. Drop by another time for a little visit so you can see if the tour and the unexpected visit match up.
• Talk to friends who have been in this situation. What were their findings? Are they happy with their results? Do they have a recommendation?
• If at all possible, bring your loved ones in to view the facility with you. They might just get a good feeling from the place and choose for themselves!

Warnings

• Don't rush the process. Really take your time and do your research.
• Revisit facilities at different times of the day and evening. If the situation has come up suddenly are you have very little time, you should still tour facilities and talk to people before-hand. You should find the staff at the facility sympathetic and open to helping you in any way they can.