How to Evaluate a Nursing Home

Friday, November 1, 2013

How to Evaluate a Nursing Home

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

When you’re looking for the best nursing home either for yourself or someone you love, there are certain things you should look for when you visit a facility. Of course, you probably have your own list of questions that you’ll want answered by onsite staff, but there are some things you may not have thought about.

Background Checks

One of the most important things to check on is if the facility performs background checks on the staff. One of the biggest problems plaguing nursing homes is abuse and neglect. Sometimes, people who shouldn’t work in a nursing home are given jobs regardless, and this can lead to problems. If a nursing home employee is not cut out for the duties of the job, they may neglect residents or become too stressed out and abuse the residents. Find out what the staff to resident ratio is, as this can greatly affect how quickly a call is answered. Ask about whether there are RNs or CNAs on staff, and whether or not there are therapists on staff or if therapy is hired out elsewhere.

Condition of Residents

You’ll also want to find out about the way that residents are taken care of. For example, do they eat meals on a regular schedule, or does staff wake them up too early or too late for breakfast? Are they lethargic and listless, or are there programs in the facility that keep them engaged? Are the residents well groomed, and are they in comfortable chairs or beds? Asking questions about the conditions of living within a nursing home can be a good indication of how you or your loved ones will be treated if you stay there.

Safety of the Premises

When you visit a facility, take note of how well-kept the interior is. Making sure that hallways are free of debris and that the stairwells and walkways have adequate hand rails for residents to use, and making sure that resident visiting areas are clean and available to be used is important. The premises should be kept clean, well-lit, and organized so as to prevent accidents such as slips and falls.

Finding a nursing home’s record is as simple as doing an Internet search, and when you’re dealing with your loved ones, they deserve the very best.