Article provided by Knapp & Roberts. Please visit our Web site at www.krattorneys.com.
Making the decision to place a loved one in a nursing home can be difficult. Equally difficult is knowing which nursing home to choose. The right nursing home will provide your loved one with reliable care and friendly service. The wrong nursing home, however, could allow your loved one to be abused or neglected. Before you settle on a nursing home, do some detective work. Your investigation may end up saving your loved one's life.
Visit the Nursing Home
Nothing can take the place of judging for yourself the care and dignity provided by the nursing home you are considering. Ask the nursing home for permission to walk around the facility. When you tour the facility, don't be afraid to ask residents or their relatives what they think of the care and whether they would choose the nursing home again. Ask the nursing home for references, too.
Talk to the nurses and nurse aides. Ask them if they like their jobs and whether they feel overworked. You will get a good sense of residents' care by speaking frankly with those who provide that care.
Look for red flags such as a dirty facility, few staff members on the floor, residents that are unhappy, use of restraints, lack of interaction between residents, and whether nurses and nurse aides can be easily located. Your eyes and ears are your best tools for discovering what life is really like for residents of the nursing home.
Check the Results of the Most Recent State Inspection
Arizona's Department of Health Services Long-Term Care Division is the government organization that inspects and licenses nursing homes in our state. The nursing home should have a copy of its latest inspection report posted for all visitors to see, but you can also view it online. It is vital to view this report so you know whether any serious violations have occurred.
You should also find out hard numbers such as the staff-to-resident ratio and how many nurses and nurse aides work at the nursing home. Inquire about hiring practices and staff turnover rates as well. Do they use "registry" nurses and nurse aides (staff from temp agencies)? If so, how frequently?
What to Do After Your Loved One Becomes a Resident of the Nursing Home
Once you have selected a nursing home, your role does not end. The best way to encourage good care for your loved one is to visit often and question the staff when you suspect a problem. Be aware of changes in your loved one's behavior, which may signal trouble with medication, an injury ignored by the staff, a significant change of condition, or even neglect or abuse by a staff member or another resident.
If something is not right, tell the executive director of the nursing home and contact Arizona's Office of Long Term Care Services, or Adult Protective Services. If a crime has occurred, report it to the police. An attorney may be able to help you take legal action against the nursing home for serious injury or wrongful death. If you are not already your loved one's guardian or conservator, speak with a lawyer about additional powers of protection for your loved one by being appointed guardian or conservator.
Ultimately, if you follow your instincts and thoughtfully consider the information you have gathered, you will be able to make an intelligent choice.