A Guide to Selecting the Right Nursing Home for Your Loved One

A Guide to Selecting the Right Nursing Home for Your

Loved One

www.aurumnetwork.com


Start by visiting the websites of those in the geographic area you are focusing on. Call to ask some of the key questions listed below so you can reduce the list to three or four. You’ll know which facilities you want to know more about by the way your questions are addressed, the willingness of the staff to help,

and whether you are invited to visit the facility.


Setting out to select a nursing home for your loved one can seem an overwhelming task.

Start by asking a lot of questions!


Some of these questions can be answered on the facility’s website; others you may want to ask on the phone or wait until you visit.

Are rooms/beds available or is there a waiting list?

Is the facility Medicare- and Medicaid-certified?

What levels of care are provided?

With what hospital does the facility have an emergency care arrangement?


Questions about the staff...

Does the facility perform back-ground checks on staff members as part of the hiring process?

Is there a continuing education program in place for the staff?

Is there a registered nurse (RN) other than the Director of Nursing on duty in the facility at all times?

Does the same team of staff members (nurses and nursing assistants) work with a given resi-dent 4-5 days per week?


What is the staff-to-resident ratio?

Does the facility have a full-time social worker?

Does the facility have a physician on staff? Is he or she at the facility daily? Is he or she on call?

Are residents allowed to see their personal physicians?Is there a professional staff member on hand 24/7?

Questions about the staff...


Questions about meal service...

Are meals prepared under the direction of a certified nutritionist?

Do residents have a choice of foods at each meal?

Are nutritious snacks available on request?

Are staff members available to assist residents at mealtimes if needed?


Things to look for when visiting...

Are the residents well-groomed and dressed properly for the time of day, season, and weather?

Does the facility have any strong or unpleasant odors?

Is the facility clean and well-main-tained?

Is the temperature in the facility comfortable?

Is the facility well-lit?


Things to look for when visiting...

Is the facility excessively noisy?

Are the furnishings sturdy, clean, and well-maintained?

Does the facility have private areas that are quiet where residents can meet with visitors?

Does each resident’s room have a window?

Do residents have their own telephone and television?


Do staff members appear to be polite, respectful, and friendly toward residents?

Do the residents appear to be friendly toward the staff?

Do all staff members wear nametags?

Do staff members knock and ask permission before entering resident rooms?

Observations of staff...


Are activities available to all residents, including those who are unable to leave their rooms?

Does the facility have outdoor areas accessible to residents and staff members to help those who want to go outside?

Does the facility have a volunteer program?

Questions about activities...


Your ideal visit should be late morning, mid-day or early afternoon so that you can observe residents while they are involved in meantime or social or recreational activities. Be sure to ask to see any area that may not be

included on your tour. When you visit with your loved one, ask to have lunch or dinner with the residents so you can see and taste for yourselves the

variety and quality of the meal and food service.

Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation CentersAurum member nursing and rehabilitation centers provide a wide range of high quality medical services including:• Postacute care• Short-term rehabilitation• Respite care• Hospice care• Long-term care

Working with each resident and their family members, staff will customize a plan to maximize both self-motivation and func-tional independence. You or your loved one will be in an atmosphere of warmth, respect and understanding.

Find an Aurum Member Facility in your Area

http://www.aurumnetwork.com/

A Guide to Selecting the Right Nursing Home for Your Loved One

Healthcare

Transcript of A Guide to Selecting the Right Nursing Home for Your Loved One