Tips for Choosing a Nursing Home
Making the decision to place your loved one in a nursing home once they can no longer take care of themselves can be an emotional time for family members. In this day and age, taking the time to select the right home can make a world of difference in the type of care they receive. According to the Florida Health Care Association, there are 682 nursing homes in the state with an estimated 73,000 residents. Florida, in particular, has one of the country’s lowest over-65 population to nursing home population ratio, which indicates that Florida residents have a lot of options in choosing where to stay.
Before making a selection, potential residents and their families should conduct research and assessments of potential facilities to ensure that the chosen facility will be the right fit. With this in mind, this post is the first of a two part blog series that will detail tips in choosing a nursing home and identifying signs of nursing home abuse and neglect.
Understand Personal Needs
Before selecting a nursing home, consider the needs of your elderly person. Each person’s needs are unique and the type of care that is required will vary. For example, certain health conditions may require greater specialized attention by caretakers. The level of care needed will be key in selecting a nursing home with the appropriate staff qualifications and expertise to meet your loved one’s needs.
Assess Multiple Nursing Homes
Conduct an assessment of multiple nursing homes by looking at the different types of care provided and the overall satisfaction and ratings of the facilities. The federal government’s Nursing Home Compare website uses a five-star system to rank nursing homes across the country in the following categories: health inspections, staffing, quality measures, and overall ranking. Often times, states will provide ratings of each nursing home based on the nursing home’s compliance with state regulations and any code violations during a particular time period that may be accessible to the public through the state’s website or by submitting a request.
Get Recommendations
Asking friends or colleagues for recommendations can be extremely helpful when selecting a nursing home. These people are can provide detailed knowledge about their experiences with nursing homes. People generally are more likely to voice their opinions when experiencing negative interactions. Such negative interactions and reviews should stand out as a red flag for potential residents.
Ask the Tough Questions
When considering a nursing home, don’t be afraid to ask facility administrators tough questions regarding the administration of the facility. These questions may provide clues as to how the employees have interacted with residents, how the facility is run, and what plans the facility has in place in emergency situations. Below are some questions to consider asking:
- Has the nursing home been reported for violations? If so, what were the violations and when did they occur?
- What’s the ratio of staff to patients?
- What is the falling rate of the facility?
- What is the frequency of hospital-acquired infections?
- What’s the turnover rate for employees?
- What processes does the facility have in place for preventing the spread of illness and infection?
- What is the facility’s reputation in the public and among residents?
Conduct On-Site Visits
Getting first-hand experience through visiting a nursing home facility in person is the best way to decide whether the nursing home will be a good fit for a resident. Potential residents and their families are encouraged to make both scheduled and unannounced visits. Unscheduled visits can provide a better glimpse into the nursing home’s activities as you’ll be able to see it in its natural state.
Contact a Florida Nursing Home Abuse Attorney
Taking the time to choose the right home for your loved one can provide you with the peace of mind in knowing that they are receiving the proper care that they deserve. If you have a loved one in a Florida nursing home and you’re curious about the quality of the care they are receiving, you should be sure to speak with your loved one to determine whether the living conditions are acceptable. If there are reports of verbal, mental, physical, or medical abuse or neglect as the result improper nursing home care, you may be entitled to a financial compensation. The attorneys at Roman & Roman are experienced in representing victims of nursing home abuse and neglect throughout Florida. There is no initial consultation fee and we do not recover any fees unless we obtain a settlement or a judgment in your favor. Contact us today via phone or via our website to schedule a free consultation to discuss your next steps.