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5 Resources for Choosing a Nursing Facility

Choosing a nursing home can be a long, arduous process.  Not only are there many things to consider, but you want to ensure that your loved one’s facility is ample for his or her health, and somewhere he or she will enjoy living.  Below you will find some resources as well as descriptions of what they can do to help you during your search.

1.    Medicare.org
A.    Medicare.org’s Check List
This check list is a great tool to help you compare and contrast nursing home facilities.  It contains a scoring tool that will help you determine how well each facility does in the following areas:

  • General information about the nursing home; e.g. staff training, whether the home and administrator have current licenses, etc.
  • Quality of Life; e.g. Is the furniture comfortable?  Are there outside areas for residential use?
  • Quality of Care; e.g. Does the staff respond to residents quickly?  Do residents look as though they are showered regularly?
  • Nutrition and Hydration; e.g. Does the food look of high quality?  Are water and other liquids easily accessible?
  • Safety; e.g. Are there handrails?  Is there adequate lighting?  Are there panic buttons that are easily accessible?

Additionally, the check list includes plenty of tips related to the nursing home choice process.

B.    Medicare.org’s Guide to Choosing A Nursing Home
This is a 72 page .pdf document that explains the following:

  • How to find and compare nursing homes.
  • How to pay for nursing home care.
  • The rights of nursing home patients.
  • Alternatives to nursing homes.

2.    National Family Caregivers Association’s Guide for Caregivers

This non-profit association is dedicated to those that act as caregiver to their loved one/s.  They provide free, in-depth educational materials and support.  The link above is one of their resources made specifically for caregivers who find that they can no longer provide care for their loved one/s; it tells them what factors to take into account when choosing a particular facility.

3.    MSN Article: 11 Keys to Choosing the Right Retirement Community
This article is great for those who are considering a retirement community. Most retirement communities consist of the following:

  • Independent living quarters: For seniors that need only a little help.
  • Assisted living facilities: For those that need help with basic tasks.
  • Nursing facilities: For those who need full-time nursing care.

 

What is great about these facilities is that as one ages, he or she can get as little or as much help as they need in one place; this cuts down on the stress that occurs when seniors have to move from a more independent living facility to one with more assistance.

4.    Aging Parents and Elder Care.com

This website is devoted to the children of elderly parents and provides resources such as:

  • Care Interpreter- A “free decision-support tool that allows you to find the best living options for a parent or loved one based on specific personal and health needs.”
  • Check lists for choosing :
    • An Alzheimers living facility.
    • An assisted living facility.
    • A nursing home/skilled nursing facility.
    • A whole section devoted to assisted living and other living arrangements.
    • Financial education, tools, and services (many free, like ElderCarelink)

5.    MSNBC Article: Protect Yourself When Choosing A Nursing Home
This article provides readers with 10 tips for before and after you choose a nursing home.  It is short and right to the point, and provides a few resources to aid you in your research.