Everyone has different needs and expectations when it comes to selecting a nursing home.
If the time has come to find such a facility for your loved one, you should keep nursing home best practices in mind.
Features high-quality resident care
The nursing home you choose for your loved one should carry a 4- or 5-star rating from Medicare. Staff should demonstrate respect for all residents. Quality of care should begin with safety and extend to a resident’s personal freedoms. The rooms should feel homey. Residents should have menu options and a choice of daily activities.
Maintains low staff turnover rates
If the nursing home has a low staff turnover rate, this usually means good management and high employee satisfaction. Low employee turnover is often present in facilities that offer higher-quality care.
Offers a tour
A nursing home should welcome your request for a tour. Visit more than one so you can compare. Remember that your guide is a salesperson who wants you to see the best areas. Ask to see every floor. Visit the public rooms and the kitchen. Talk to residents and take a look at a resident’s room.
Supports family engagement
Many high-quality nursing homes have a resident council that meets on a regular basis. Families are often invited to attend. The nursing home you choose should follow best practices and comply with all federal and state regulatory requirements. Consider asking for recommendations from friends, the clergy or an elder law attorney. In short, the facility you choose for your loved one should make both of you feel comfortable with the selection.
Kevin Tharpe
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