Tips for Choosing a Nursing Home

Every day people are faced with finding nursing home care for themselves or someone they love. You may be asking “Where do I begin?” and “What do I look for?” This tip sheet is designed to give you a few helpful hints for selecting a nursing home. Your individual needs will require individual planning. It is vital that the prospective resident be involved as much as possible in his or her nursing home placement. Making a decision can be difficult and stressful, and sometimes it seems overwhelming. But, understanding your options and learning as much as possible will help you make the best possible choice.

Make a List

Organize a list of homes to inquire about and visit. Names and locations of homes can be found in your local telephone book or call Senior Linkage line at 800.333.2433 or the Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care at 800.657.3591. The online Senior Housing Directory is free to the public and no personal data is required. www.careoptionsnetwork.org Take time to visit these homes and inquire about their care and services. While looking around, it may be wise to place your name on a few waiting lists, as early as possible. Being on a waiting list does not obligate you to move into that particular home, but this advance planning will give you more options when the final decision needs to be made.

Know Your Needs and Wishes

You or your loved one may require some special health services like physical, occupational or speech therapy; oxygen, I.V. care or tube feeding; Alzheimer or disease specific; or young adult services. If you need such services, find out if the home you’re looking at provides them - not all homes do. Other issues to consider are the home’s location, size, and level of care (skilled nursing or board and care). The home’s affiliation (church, private, or corporate; profit or non-profit, etc.) may also be important considerations for you.

Plan to Visit

This is one of the most important steps in the process; it gives you a chance to comparison shop. Plan to tour several nursing homes. Make an appointment with the admissions coordinator or other staff person who handles new residents. Making a second, unannounced visit at a later time (during a meal, evening, or weekend) will also give you more information about the facility that you may have missed the first time around on the structured tour.

Planning Your Tour

When you make a visit to a nursing home, ask to talk with staff from various departments: nurses, nursing assistants, dietary staff, social service staff, activity directors, and administrators. Also, talk with residents and their families (Resident and Family Councils are a good place to start) and listen to their personal experiences with the home. Among your best resources for deciding are your own instincts and conclusions drawn from on-site tours of nursing homes and interviews with staff and residents.

For further information or questions please contact us or call 1-800-893-4055