Statistics indicate that the number of deaths occurring in nursing homes in the United States has increased in the last two decades. Even more depressing, more than 20,000 people living in nursing homes sustain injuries, mainly from falls. What this means is that you have to be careful when choosing a nursing home for your loved one. So, before you settle for one facility over the other, ask yourself?
1. Where’s the Location and Size of the Facility?
Choose a nursing home that’s as close to your residence as possible. That way, you can always pop in to check on your loved ones. Besides, if you’re the one in the home, you’ll want frequent visitation from your family members, right? On top of that, make sure that the nursing home of your choice is big enough. In other words, you’re better off with a home that can cater to your specific needs such as secluded rooms or large open spaces where one can take a walk.
2. What Services is the Home Providing?
Services and healthcare differ from one nursing home to another. It is, therefore, essential that you find out what to expect with the home of your choice before booking your loved one. For instance, check to see if their meals are in line with the person’s dietary requirements or if the facility allows residents to choose what they want to eat. More than that, a good nursing home should provide special care to individuals diagnosed with chronic conditions such as diabetes or dementia.
3. Are There Enough Staff Members?
The last thing that you want to do is to take your loved one into an understaffed nursing home. See, the reason you want to use the facility in the first place is to make sure that the person gets personalized care, safety, and attention. Now, that’s not going to happen if the home you plan to use doesn’t have enough staff members.
So, what if the nursing home has sufficient staff? Well, fair enough. You should ensure that they have the skills required to give your loved one the care he/she needs. Also, their interpersonal communication skills have to be excellent. The nurses have to be respectful, warm and polite. Plus, check to see if the staff members have the expertise and training to take care of your family member. See, most wrongful death claims that involve nursing homes are due to neglect and mistreatment by nurses or their assistants.
4. Will Your Loved One be Free in the Home?
A nursing home shouldn’t be some form of “prison.” Sure, residents may require special care and more attention, but that doesn’t mean taking away their freedom. You should, therefore, take your family member to a home that allows him/her to express their feelings freely without intimidation. A good nursing home should allow its residents to make choices too. The long and short of it is; your loved one is going through a tough time already, so you don’t want a facility that puts more stress on them.
5. What Are People Saying About the Facility?
A nursing home’s reputation matters. Of course, you’re better off with a facility that has been around for some years. The rating has to be good as well. Read independent reviews about the facility you plan to use to have an idea of what to expect.
The Take-Away Message
Don’t just book your loved one into any nursing home. Keep in mind that you want him/ her to get the best care possible, so do your research. Indeed, you don’t want your family member to end up with injuries or in the worst case scenario, dead. Do you?