The decision to transition a loved one into a nursing home will always be a challenge for families on many levels. The most critical challenge to overcome is the emotional aspect of your loved one giving up their independence.
There are also numerous practical elements to consider when selecting the right nursing home, and to do so, you need to tour the facility and take in all aspects of its operations.
It is essential to visit a few nursing homes to establish a point of comparison. The following guide will provide you with the necessary information to conduct a thorough tour of a nursing home facility.
Check the History
Your consideration of a nursing home should begin with its history. That should include a review of any past violations or incidents of reported abuse. Although you might not want to think about abuse, these incidents occur.
When they do, it will help to discuss your concerns with a Marion nursing home abuse lawyer. That attorney can become an advocate for the family to help address any concerns and seek a remedy.
In Illinois, the Illinois Department of Public Health offers quarterly reports of nursing home violations. You can check their archives to find any violations against a nursing home you might be considering.
Consider Accessibility
Although your loved one will benefit from around-the-clock care, you are still considered their primary caregiver. That means you will want to be informed about any updates to their health and changes in treatment. All of this means you want a facility that is close by. That is also important to help facilitate consistent visits from friends and family.
Quality of Care
Research the nursing home’s ratings and certifications. High-quality care ensures the physical, emotional, and medical needs of residents are consistently met.
Ask About Staff-to-Resident Ratio
A new standard of staff-to-resident care was recently implemented in Illinois. As reported by WTTW, “the total nurse staffing standard will be 3.48 hours per resident day, meaning the total number of hours worked by each type of staff divided by the total number of residents. In addition, homes must meet at least .55 hours per resident day of direct registered nurse (RN) care and 2.45 hours per resident day of direct nurse aide care.”
When there is a lower staff-to-resident ratio, your loved one will experience better personalized care. You would like to inquire about the staff numbers for each shift.
Discuss Activities
Along with the care provided to residents, a nursing home should also offer a range of daily activities that stimulate both mental and physical well-being. These activities can be games, exercises, and classes such as painting or other arts and crafts.
Use All Five Senses
Once you’ve conducted your background check and asked about the staff numbers, you’ll want to go through the facility and activate your five senses. Here’s how to put them to work:
Smell
A good rule to follow is “bad smell is bad care.” There will be accidents that you might happen to wander into. However, if there is an overwhelming foul odor that you can sense from the moment you walk in, it means the facility staff isn’t attending to those accidents as they should.
On the other hand, if you can smell enticing food, floral arrangements, or other pleasant aromas, it speaks to a level of care and attentiveness that the facility provides.
Sight
You can use your eyes to take in how the staff appears. Are they smiling and seem happy? Are the other residents socializing with each other and seem engaged? Are the rooms clean, and is the building well-maintained? The answer to those questions will tell you a lot about the facility you’re considering.
Taste
It is a good idea to visit a facility around lunch or dinner. You’ll get to see how the residents are cared for during the meal. You can also taste the food. It might not be a 4-star quality, but it should have some level of appeal. You should also ask about how special dietary restrictions are handled and if a resident can make the occasional special request.
Touch
You might not immediately consider the role touch can play in your inspection, but it’s essential to inspect the railings and support bars. Are they clean or sticky? Are they sturdy or wobbly?
Listen
Finally, pay close attention to the way staff members interact with residents. You also want to get a sense of the overall vibe that the facility is putting forth. Is there pleasant music playing in the common areas? Are residents engaged in conversations with each other? You can also talk directly to the other residents and ask them how they are enjoying the facility.
Finding Help for Your Loved One at Prince Law Firm
Finding the right nursing home for your loved one requires a dedicated tour of multiple facilities, where you consider the level of care, the staff, and the costs.
It is also essential to understand that if there is an incident of neglect or abuse in the future, it’s not because you didn’t do your best to research the facility. A single poor staff hire can lead to significant problems.
When those problems occur, Prince Law Firm is standing by to offer assistance. We can help mitigate the incident by conducting an investigation and ensuring that all the proper authorities are notified. If the incident rises to the level of an actionable offense, we can also assist clients in seeking a remedy.
If you have concerns about a nursing home, please call to schedule a free consultation with our office today. We’ll help you find clarity.
