Choosing a nursing home facility for yourself or a loved one needs careful consideration. With many options available today, you may be wondering which one is the best choice. After all, you wouldn’t want to end up choosing any nursing home. It has to have everything you need to ensure that you or your loved one is getting the best quality care. However, where do you start? Which questions should you ask? Are there red flags to watch out for?

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Nursing Home

There are many things to consider when choosing a nursing home. It all starts with what you or your loved one needs. For example, younger, healthier, and more mobile seniors may want to be in a nursing home that offers many activities. They may even want homes that have programs that promote an active lifestyle. On the other hand, those who are older and have health concerns may be looking for programs that are geared towards properly dealing with medical issues.

Here are some basic questions that you should ask:

• Is this a certified facility?
• Does the nursing home specialize in certain conditions, such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, or are geared towards adult daycare and assisted living services?
• Does it provide short-term and/or long-term care?
• Are the staff licensed?
• What other services and amenities does it offer?

 

Quality of Care

The following are crucial among the questions you have to ask when choosing a nursing home for yourself or your loved ones.

• Can residents see personal care physicians while in the facility?
• How close are emergency facilities?
• What is the arrangement for emergency care or situations?
• How are care planning done?
• Which employees are involved in the care?
• What type of medical assistance is available?
• Are there medical doctors that are part of the staff?
• What types of medical facilities are available to the residents?

 

Safety and Security

• Are there handrails in the hallways?
• Are the restrooms and bathrooms equipped with safety features and/or mobility fixtures like grab bars?
• What types of security is in place in the facility?
• Do you have your own hospital transport?
• What type of emergency training does your staff have?

 

Financial-Related Questions

Of course, the practical matter of payments and fees must be clarified prior to choosing a nursing home. Some of the questions you should ask are:

• What is the cost?
• Is there a payment plan or fee schedule?
• What are included in the fees?
• How flexible are the payment terms?
• What are the modes of payment?
• Are there extra charges to be considered throughout their stay?
• How do families receive notice when fees change?

 

Questions About the Facilities and Staff

• Are tours of the facilities available?
• What are the visiting hours?
• Do you conduct employee background checks?
• What is the background training of the staff?
• What is the ratio of staff to residents?
• What is the staff turnover rate?
• What are the visiting hours?
• How are visits handled?

 

Resident’s Stay and Comfort

• How is the noise level in the facility?
• How do the residents spend their day-to-day?
• Are there outdoor spaces available?
• How are their meals?
• Do residents have access to recreational activities?
• Are there events for holidays and special events?
• Can pets and family visit? How often?
• Are there regular group activities?
• How home-like is the environment?

 

Thoroughly checking the nursing home you are considering is important to ensure that you or your loved ones get the best care and that the family has peace of mind.

At Blessed Home, we provide the best care in a warm, cozy, and home-like environment among licensed and trained personnel that has your loved ones health, safety, and well-being in mind.

Talk to us to learn more!