The choice to place a loved one in a nursing home is often difficult, emotional, and not without misgivings. Unfortunately, once the decision has been made, the stress does not disappear. Choosing the right elder care facility is of paramount importance, and with more than 16,100 nursing homes in the country, finding the right one is a daunting task.
There is no magic formula for choosing the right long term care facility for a parent or grandparent, but following some basic steps can help make the task more manageable.
Step 1: Be Prepared
A large portion of nursing home admissions occur after a stay in the hospital, usually following an injury, surgery, or a medical scare. Because of this, you may only have 24-48 hours to find a long term care facility. This is not enough time. Being prepared and aware of your options before being placed in this situation will help to eliminate the stress, second guessing, and often overwhelming pressure. Do your research before you are forced to make a decision. A tip for the unprepared: You may be able to appeal a hospital discharge, buying you more time.
Step 2: Do Your Reading and Research
Before you make a list of nursing homes, before you visit any facilities, and before you have to choose a nursing home, you should do a little reading and research. For many, this step may be a luxury or seem unnecessary, but it is very important. Ideally in the early stages of your nursing home search, you will have time to read and review the wealth of literature, both on and off-line, about nursing homes and elder care. The American Association of Retired Persons and Medicare websites include numerous tools, articles, fact-sheets, check-lists and more. These reliable sources provide information about elder care facility inspections, the rights of nursing home residents, alternatives, payment options, and much more. Knowledge is your best tool.
Step 3: Making a List
Whether you have time to do preliminary research or not, you will need to compile a list of long term care facilities that are your options. While you may be tempted to Google nursing homes in your area, and this may be time efficient, it is not in your best interest, or the best interest of your loved one. There are a number of ways to compile a list, and rather than just using one, you should take what you find from all of them to make your final list. In terms of online tools, using Medicare's website is your best option for finding local long term care facilities. However, don't forget to ask hospital social workers or discharge planner for a list of local homes; providing this information is their job. One of your best sources for the names of nursing homes in your area is actually people that you know and trust: friends, family, doctors, or clergy. Ask for their input and consider their recommendations. Finally, you can call the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) for information about elder care facilities near you. Combining all these sources will help you come up with a list of viable nursing homes to choose from.
Step 4: Making the Visit
Before choosing a nursing home to send your loved one to, you should visit the home, more than once, to assess it in person. For your first visit, schedule a formal tour and go over basic details (what services they provide, what fees they charge). Ask to see a copy of the state's most recent inspection report. All facilities are required to provide these. Signs that the home may not be run well include the smell or urine or feces, unclean bathrooms, and residents wearing restraints. Your second visit should be on a different day, at a different time, and unannounced. Staffing often varies, and this will help you get a better picture of home the facility is operated. Asking to join the residents for a council meeting can also provide a window into their lives.
Step 5: The Choice and Beyond
Following the steps above should provide you with an accurate picture of your options. Based on the information you have gathered, the condition of the elder care facilities, the cost, proximity, etc, you should be able to make an informed decision. Here is the final, important tip: Keep visiting the elder care facility. Monitor the condition of the patient, make sure that the care plan is being followed, and let the staff know that you are an involved relative. While it may seem wrong, nursing home staff members know what residents receive regular visits, and these residents are likely to receive a little additional care, just to avoid the possibility of complaints.
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