SEARCHING FOR A NURSING HOME
by Roberta Mikles
Selecting a nursing home, for a loved one, is an anxiety provoking experience. However, knowing certain basics can alleviate some of the unpleasantness involved in this process.
Considerations in this selection encompass geographical as well as financial aspects.
In choosing a nursing home, several should be seen and an evaluation made as to which will best meet the needs of your loved one (and you).
Every facility should have posted, in full view, the most recent survey that was conducted by the State, as representatives, for the Federal Government (CMS formerly known as HCFA)
Reading this document will provide a general overview of what problems the nursing home had during the prior survey/inspection.
1. Ask the Director of Nursing or Administrator how were the deficient practices corrected?
The survey document (Statement of Deficiencies-2567) has two columns, The first column addressed a specific problem that was found to be non compliant with Federal regulations. The second column should address what was done to correct the problem. If the second column is not available... ask what was done.. Have the touring person explain, in detail, the actions to correct problems and if any problems have recurred.
TYPES OF CARE
1. Before touring a nursing home, you should know the level of care that is needed. The person’s physician and others involved in the team should provide you with all this information. In many cases, they will give a list of nursing homes for you to visit that offer specific services that are needed.
2. Ask what is paid for and what is not....... regulations will direct this aspect
TOURING THE NURSING HOME
1. Look at Residents to see if they look comfortable and happy.
2. Are Residents yelling and screaming?
3. Are there smells in the halls of feces and urine or other odors?
4. Are Residents, in wheelchairs, lined up in a row versus being in an activity?
5. Do Residents look clean, or have food on their clothes
6. Do Residents have water or other fluid within arm’s reach?
7.Observe how nursing staff speak and interact with Residents?
Are staff speaking respectfully to Residents?
Do staff yell or are staff abrupt with Residents?
Are staff speaking so loudly between themselves that it is disturbing to
Residents?
TOURING DURING MEAL TIME
1. Are all Residents eating at the same time, or are some Residents eating while others are still waiting for their meals?
2. Are staff that are assisting Residents eating treating them with respect and not just shoveling food into their mouths?
3. Ask staff what happens if the Resident does not like what is being served. The nursing home should be offering substitutes to meet the Resident’s needs.
4. Ask when nourishments or snacks are provided and what types are offered. Ask if food you like are served.
ACTIVITIES
1. Ask what type of activities are available... Depending on the type and level of care needed, will depend, often, on types of offered activities. Note: Room visits are often not a sufficient activity.
2. Are the activity staff trained?
INFECTION CONTROL
1. During your visit, observe to see if staff are washing their hands before providing care for Residents, as well as, in between providing care. Cross contamination is a major problem.
2. Ask if the nursing home has sanitizers that are readily available to ensure decreasing infections.
Remember, you are not in this alone. Your loved one’s (or your) physician can assist in this stressful process. Often insurance companies have case managers who will work to help find the most appropriate facility. Especially if the individual is being transferred from a hospital to a nursing home..NOTE: You have a right as a patient, or family member, to be made aware of all information. If you do not feel the person is ready for discharge, you have a right to speak out and be heard.
bravenet.com