The quality of care in nursing homes varies from provider to provider. Your loved one could be hurt or possibly killed if the quality of care in her nursing home is poor. It can be hard to figure out a good home from a bad nursing home, so here's some information that will make it easier.
Cleanliness
When you go to a nursing home, check out the bathroom, the kitchen and the residents. The house should be clean. Bathrooms and kitchens should be sanitary. Try to arrive unannounced so the staff doesn't have time to clean up first. The house may be clean, but what about residents? If residents look dirty or smell bad, it could mean that the staff is neglecting to give baths. This can cause health problems like infections.
Food
Ask for menus and check during meal times to see if they are following the menus. If your loved one has dietary restrictions, find out what food will be served to him. Items like fried peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are full of fat, sugar and carbohydrates. Avoid places that offer items like these on their menus.
Staff
Ask how many staff members are there at all times. Is there an awake staff? This is important if a resident has a problem or needs help in the middle of the night. Do all the staff members speak English? If not, this could cause medications to be given incorrectly, or if the resident has a problem, they might not be able to understand it. Don't assume that the person in charge will be at the home. Some hire staff and only come to inspect or meet prospective customers.
Costs
Costs can vary by thousands of dollars for nursing home providers. Be sure to compare rates for several different homes before selecting one. Don't assume that a place with higher rates will give the best quality of care.
Violations
Do your homework. Nursing homes are inspected by state Department of Health Services. Check with your state to see if the nursing home has any violations and what the violations were.
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