4 Key Questions to Ask When Considering a Nursing Home for Your Aging Relative
Here’s how to find the best facility for your loved one.
Researched, written by 
Amber & The Team
Updated on March 7, 2023
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The choice of a nursing home is one of the most difficult ones family caregivers must make when it is time to put a parent in one. The life of an older person—and yours—will undergo significant changes when they move into a long-term care facility.
While viewing potential nursing homes, use the following list of questions as a reference. Print out a checklist for each facility you visit. That way, you can keep track of your observations and the responses you get from administrators. Then, compare the lists to choose the best nursing home for your loved one.
1. Does my loved one require long-term care or short-term rehabilitation?
The language used in nursing homes can be complex. However, knowing exactly what kind of care your loved one needs is crucial. That way, you can make sure you’re looking into and visiting the appropriate facilities.
Although the terms “nursing home” and “skilled nursing facility” are sometimes used interchangeably, they have different meanings. The right choice depends on the situation.
Your choice has an impact on how long a senior stays in a facility, the kind of care they get, and how you can make payments.
Is your mother getting a brand-new hip? Perhaps your dad is recuperating from a heart attack. Find out how much supervision they need. Do they need brief post-acute care or a stay in a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation (SNF)?
Long-term care is appropriate when your loved one needs to move permanently into a place that offers round-the-clock competent nursing care. Nursing homes typically offer this service.
Many elder care facilities offer both short-term senior rehab services and long-term care. This isn’t always negative because older folks who need rehabilitation after a medical setback frequently end up needing long-term care.
Just be sure to stay in constant and open communication with your loved one’s medical staff to make sure you completely understand their present and future requirements.
Keep their diagnosis in mind as well. Some facilities specialize in providing care for elders with particular ailments or needs. These may include dementia care or stroke recovery.
2. Has the Nursing Home Been Involved in Any Injury Lawsuits? (Check Online)
You don’t want to be involved with a nursing home with endless injury lawsuits. Negligence cases suggest that the home may not prioritize your loved one’s needs.
Check online to make sure the nursing home offers the best quality of care. If you are curious about your loved one’s rights at a nursing home, seek help from the best nursing home injury lawyer.
3. How Will You Communicate?
Open and consistent communication is necessary if you want to preserve and improve a loved one’s physical and mental health. You need a nursing home facility that can collaborate with you to create a comprehensive care plan, review and update it, and promptly report changes.
Ask about care plan meetings, how quickly calls and emails are returned, and participation possibilities like family council meetings.
4. What Amenities Are Offered?
The amenities offered by nursing homes and SNFs vary greatly. These benefits are just as crucial to an older person’s general health as first-rate medical care.
Some facilities offer residents their own televisions, phones, Wi-Fi, and access to communal computers. Some even employ chefs and dietitians to take care of the dietary requirements of their residents.
Ask about these features and any others that your loved one may value, such as private rooms, outing options, visitation regulations, outdoor areas, and more. Access to the right amenities can be more beneficial than you imagine.
Are you trying to find a nursing home for your aging loved one? Asking the right questions increases the chances of finding your best option.
Since everyone’s needs are unique, you cannot rely on other people’s experiences. Use the above questions to find the best facility for your loved one.
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