How Do I Search For A Nursing Home?
If a family member needs more medical attention than you are able to provide, it might be time to research nursing homes. Here’s what you should know.
Finding the right nursing home for your loved one is one of the most important decisions not only of their life, but yours. Start early if possible, in order to allow time to compare all your options.
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The following is a suggestion on how to proceed:
- Assess your individual situation. Check with your insurance to see how much you can pay. Also, make sure that the nursing homes you are considering are covered by insurance or government financial assistance.
- Identify your needs. What kind of care does your loved one need, and to what extent is he or she able to care for themselves?
- Identify your resources and gather relevant information. Talk to friends, neighbors and family as well as doctors and hospitals.
- Other research resources include state and county health departments, insurance agencies, area agencies on aging, clergy or religious organizations, and the local library, as well as the Internet.
- Obtain Medicare’s Guide to Choosing A Nursing Home, which can be found online in PDF form.
- Visit nursing homes to assess conditions and speak to managers and staff members.
Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare is a powerful tool with which to begin your search for the right facility. The website offers detailed information on nearly every Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing home in the United States, and is searchable by name, city, county, state, or ZIP code.
Using the Internet For Your Search
The Internet is an invaluable research tool as you research nursing homes – but remember, it is only one tool.
You’ll probably start with an initial search using an online engine such as Google or Yahoo. When searching, be sure your keywords are as specific as possible. For example, if your loved one needs around-the-clock care, make sure to state that in your search.
You can also use online directories to get contact information for nursing homes that meet your criteria. Many nursing homes have their own websites with contact forms that allow you to specify the type of services you’re seeking.
There are also review sites such as CareGrade.com and SeniorsApprove.com, which provide independent opinions on a variety of nursing homes.
Before deciding on one particular nursing home, you’ll want to make sure you run a background check on the facility. The Internet can be very helpful here as there are many background-check sites such as ChoiceTrust, which is produced by LexisNexis. These sites allow you to review credentials of nursing homes including licensure, inspection, and potential deficiency information.
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How Do I Find the Right Nursing Home?
Finding the right facility for your loved one means asking the right questions and listening carefully to the answers.
After you identify potential nursing homes, you’ll want to visit each. At this point, there is a series of questions you should be asking, including:
What are your staff’s credentials?- What are the state nursing-home licensing requirements? Does the facility meet those?
- Does the nursing facility offer training?
- How many licensed RNs are available?
- Is the staff familiar with different types of dementia?
- Is there a Social Services worker on staff?
- What meals are available to accommodate special diets?
Make sure to look at the Residents’ Bill of Rights, and evaluate the cleanliness and activity level of the home, as well as its attention to safety and accessibility. Also, what are the comforts and recreational activities provided by the nursing home?
Be certain to ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable with your decision – your loved one is worth it.