According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the U.S. has over 15,600 nursing homes.
Picking the best nursing home for the ailing elderly is not an easy task. In fact, you might likely pick one of the worst ones if you do not know what to look out for. The best way of avoiding this is to do extensive research before you decide on one.
In this article, we give you some insight on how to pick a good nursing home.
Licensing and Accreditation
Make sure that your state licenses the nursing home facility you are considering. If it does not own a license, then the chances are high that it operates illegally. A good way to find out this information is to check with your local department of social services.
Licensing is important for several reasons. For instance, it indicates that the facility has met all the health and safety standards set by your state. Also, accreditation assures you that any complaints about the nursing home will be handled appropriately.
Besides, a license from a recognized authority is an indication that the nursing home has a good reputation.
Safety Record
Safety issues are one of the most neglected considerations when choosing a nursing home. The best way to ensure the nursing home is safe is to check with the state licensing and quality assurance departments. These departments have all the information on any violations or complaints made against the facility.
In addition, you should check inspection reports released by your local department on social services. Although these reports may not be comprehensive, they will reveal whether there were any safety violations under consideration at some point in time.
Facility Staffing Ratio
Make sure that there is a sufficient number of nurses available at all times to meet resident health care needs adequately. In fact, each nurse should have no more than eight patients at a time.
You can find this information by taking note of the nurse-to-patient ratio at the nursing home and comparing it with the acceptable standards. Also, make sure that other health care professionals such as physical therapists are available for any additional needs.
Quality of Services Offered
Make sure that the nursing home has a good reputation for providing quality elderly care. Remember that nothing is more important than treating our elders with respect and dignity. Thus you should select an institution that reflects these values.
You can find out by talking to past or current residents and their families. If you are also looking for services for a loved one, then this visit is best done in the patient’s presence.
Through these engagements, you will quickly know whether occupants and their relatives are happy with service delivery. A good way to go about it is by asking questions such as what they like best and least about the facility.
Also, inquire how they feel about staff after having spent some time at the nursing home.
Location and Size
Make sure that the best nursing home is located in a convenient location, with adequate parking facilities. Remember that moving elderly patients from one place to another can be quite a hassle. Therefore, you should select a local nursing home near your family members, friends, and medical facilities.
Also, make sure that the nursing home has enough space to meet the needs of all its occupants. A spacious facility ensures that everyone gets an adequate amount of privacy and comfort. At the same time, it facilitates routine activities such as having a walk or going shopping.
Compare Different Facilities
Don’t make the mistake of picking the best nursing home at first glance. Remember that best is a subjective and relative term. For instance, one facility may appear aesthetically pleasing while another might be more economical.
So you should make a comparative evaluation between different facilities depending on your own preferences.
In fact, the nursing home comparison makes the decision-making process simple. It provides a framework where you can collect information from several nursing homes.
This way, you will be able to sort the best nursing homes based on a series of important criteria. In short, the best nursing home is the one that meets your needs and expectations.
Prioritize Quality of Elderly Caregiver
It is wise to focus on quality over cost when selecting a nursing home. Remember that the sole purpose of this facility is to meet the needs and comfort of elderly patients.
Therefore, you should not overlook a few additional dollars and settle for a nursing home with low-quality staff. At best, you will end up paying more money in the long run due to extra care costs due to poor health care services.
Price
Some nursing homes charge very little, while others can cost a fortune.
Remember that best is a relative word, and therefore you should not allow price to influence your decision-making process. Instead, focus on other factors such as quality of services offered and proximity to your home or workplace.
Types of Services Offered
It is prudent to select a nursing home that offers specialized services. They should cater to all needs of the elderly patients, such as rehabilitation, respite care, dementia care, and hospice services.
Furthermore, you should look for a facility specializing in providing care for patients with conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
If you’re looking for a nursing home with a wide range of services, check out Juniper Communities.
Adequate Care and Rehabilitation
Select a facility that offers care and rehabilitation services as the best way of restoring function. After all, the best nursing homes are synonymous with quality healthcare delivery.
Thus, you should ensure that they have an array of experts who can cater to all medical needs of patients. They should have physiotherapists, nurses, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, dieticians, social workers, and doctors.
Choose the Best Nursing Home
Best is a relative term. So you should not make the best nursing home decision based on price and location alone. Instead, focus on factors such as quality of care. After all, this facility will be responsible for your well-being and comfort when you cannot take care of yourself.
Now that you know how to choose the best nursing home, it’s time you start looking for institutions with state-of-the-art amenities and staff members who are passionate about their job.
We hope you found this best nursing home guide useful. If you need more information, keep reading our posts.