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Making the decision to transition a loved one into a nursing home can be extremely difficult. How do you know if it is the right thing to do? If it is the right thing to do, how do choose the best nursing home to fit their needs? Once you choose, how can you be sure your loved one will receive adequate care for the length of their stay?
Unfortunately, there are no easy answers. There are certainly great nursing homes out there, but as attorneys who represent victims of nursing home negligence and abuse, we regularly see the other side of the coin. This article takes a look at some questions to ask when trying to find a nursing home for your loved one.
How long has the nursing home been in business? How is their reputation in the community?
The answers to both of these questions will shed a lot of light on the nursing homes you are considering. If a home has been in business for a long time, this may indicate that it has a quality track record. A favorable reputation can speak even more to why a nursing home has been able to continuously attract new residents for many years. Read reviews, check resources like the BBB and local commerce chambers, and ask for references.
What do current residents and their family members have to say?
Current residents and their families are perhaps the best resource for learning about a nursing home. They will be most likely to give you an unbiased opinion, and certainly should be willing to tell you about any concerns or negative experiences they’ve had. If everyone you speak with is happy about their choice, that is probably a good sign. Repeated complaints or a high volume of issues might be a red flag.
The nursing home should be more than willing to let you speak with current residents. If they aren’t, ask yourself why not, and consider walking away.
Are the nurses and staff qualified? Are they friendly? How long have they been at the nursing home?
All nurses and staff should be properly trained, have all standard certifications, and be experienced in providing nursing home care. They should also be friendly and consistently deliver good bedside manner. If they have been at the same facility for a long time, that may also suggest that they haven’t received significant complaints.
Are the facilities updated and in good condition? How does the place “feel”?
Finally, consider the facilities themselves. Are they in good repair? Does the home have state-of-the-art medical equipment? Does it look like somewhere your loved one would want to live? These are all important considerations. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services provide a wealth of information about standards for nursing home facilities on their website.
For More Information, Contact Malman Law
Attorney Steven J. Malman has been assisting nursing home residents and their families in Illinois since 1994. If you have questions about nursing home abuse or neglect, call (888) 625-6265 today or fill out our online FREE case evaluation.
