THINGS TO LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING A NURSING HOME

1. Does the nursing home provide the level of care needed, such as skilled or intermediate care?

2. Does the nursing home meet all local and state licensing requirements?

3. Does the nursing home reveal what services are covered in the quoted fees and is their fee structure easy to understand?

4. Is there a written plan for the care of each resident?

5. What is the procedure for assessing a potential resident’s need for services?

6. Do the nurses, social workers and administrators have geriatric experience and/or education?

7. Does a physician or nurse visit the residents regularly to provide medical check ups?

8. Do residents appear happy, comfortable, clean and adequately dressed?

9. Do you like the appearance of the building and its surroundings and is the residence clean, odor free and appropriately heated/cooled?

10. Is the staff available to provide 24-hour assistance with activities of daily living, if needed?

11. Are there activities for the residents to participate in and do they routinely participate?

12. Does the nursing home provide three nutritionally balanced meals a day, seven days a week?

13. Is drinking water always accessible to your residents?

Other Helpful Websites:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/nursinghomes.html

http://www.longtermcareliving.com/planning_ahead/nursing/nursing1.htm

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/0700/0730.asp?index=4903

http://www.healthinaging.org/agingintheknow/research_content.asp?id=3

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