Shopping For a Nursing Home

Living in a nursing home is the last thing that any of us would wish on our parents or even on ourselves. Many of us think of nursing homes as horrible, smelly places. So, if we are faced with the reality that a nursing home is the only practical solution for the care of our loved one, how do we go about choosing the right nursing home?

Shopping for a nursing home can be a challenge and should not be taken lightly. There are a number of factors to be considered, among them the mental and physical condition of your loved one. You will need to investigate a number of homes and ask a lot of questions in an attempt to find the correct fit. You want to make sure that you entrust your loved one to a capable, caring staff.

Begin by asking friends and acquaintances if they have had any experience with local nursing homes. Ask them to be completely honest with you in their evaluations. You can also check with state agencies who monitor and inspect nursing homes on a regular basis.

Once you have your list narrowed down, the next step will be to pay the nursing homes a visit. When you first enter the home, what is the first thing you notice? Are you greeted by someone on the staff? Do you notice any bad or unusual smells? Do the staff members interact with the residents in a friendly manner? Do the residents appear to be clean and appropriately dressed? Talk with some of the residents and ask them about the care they are receiving. Are they content with the living conditions? Ask them about activities provided in the nursing home. If at all possible, try to visit during the meal time so that you can observe the type of meals that are served.

Other questions that must be asked involve the condition of your loved one and if the nursing home you are considering can provide adequate specialized care for medical conditions such as Alzheimer's or dementia. Ask how the dispensing of medications is supervised and handled.

Don't be afraid to ask the tough questions. Remember, this is your loved one that this staff will be caring for and you should not be satisfied with anything but the best, professional care available.

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