I started my career in nursing in long term care facilities. I was a nursing assistant at the time. I continued working as a registered nurse in skilled nursing facilities and long-term care facilities for many years. From direct patient care to case management, I cared for patients, and their families, in many ways. I know that choosing a nursing home for a loved one is not an easy choice. Here are some things to look for, whether you’re looking for a long term care facility or a skilled nursing facility.
Choosing a Nursing Home
For some, choosing a nursing home is a last resort. It symbolizes no longer being able to provide the care at home that a loved one growing older needs. For others, it comes after a catastrophic health event> Many times, the choice has to be made quickly. Circumstances at home may have changed drastically. A discharge from the hospital setting is impending, Either way, emotions and stress run high. It can be difficult to know what qualities to look for when choosing a nursing home. As one who has worked in the field, here’s what I would look for.
JCAHO Certification
Accreditation and certification as a JCAHO certified facility requires an on-site evaluation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). This evaluation assesses compliance with a set of rigorous standards. Seeking accreditation is voluntary, and receipt of the JCAHO Gold Seal of Approval award verifies that a health care provider meets the most rigorous quality and safety standards of care for their patients. JCAHO certified facilities meet or exceed the National Patient Safety Goals® (NPSG). JCAHO certification is a gold standard for quality care. You can find JCAHO certified facilities near you on their Quality Check site.
Medical Support Features
Understanding what type of medical support and services are available to your loved one at a nursing home is crucial. An ideal facility will offer programs to help maintain or improve your loved one’s mental health and physical health. It’s important to know what your loved one needs now, and what they may need in the future. Skilled nursing care is essential for wound care or new feeding tubes. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy may be needed for rehabilitation from a medical event. Memory care may be required for those with memory issues. The facility you choose should offer assistance in areas your loved one needs. If a location lacks these options, it’s important that you continue searching for a home that offers the care your loved one needs.
Cleanliness & Security
Cleanliness. I can’t say enough about cleanliness. Often times a patient needs help with keeping their environment clean or with personal hygiene. A quality nursing facility will have a full-time cleaning staff that can help to keep their environment comfortable. Additionally, caring staff will meet the hygiene needs of their patients. Patients should appear well groomed and the facility should be free of odor. A quality facility will have an air cleaning system that maintains a general air hygiene level and removes odors. Security is also very important, especially for patients with memory care issues. Facilities should have systems in place to keep your loved one secure. Unscheduled visits will often reveal how safe and clean a nursing facility is before you decide to move your loved one in.
Quality of the Staff
You need to ensure the staff at your loved one’s potential home are friendly, motivated, knowledgeable, and experienced. The more experienced they are, the more likely your loved one is to transition into their new living situation in a healthy, successful manner. You’ll be able to judge the quality of caregivers for yourself with a tour of a nursing home. Be sure to pay attention to staffing ratios for various shifts and for different units of the building. The level of care required by patients in various units should be reflected in their staffing ratios.
Available Activities and Community Events
Remaining active is important for emotional and physical health. The nursing facility you choose should have an activities department, overseen by a Certified Activities Director. Certified Activities Directors have take courses on how to identify the activity needs of residents as well as design programs to maintain and/or increase the residents’ capability of activities in daily living. They should have an activities calendar that includes community events and activities that your loved one will enjoy. A friendly, motivated, activities department will help you feel comfortable knowing you’re making a great choice of a nursing home for your loved one.
The Atmosphere
When you move in somewhere new, you must find yourself comfortable with your surroundings. Due to the more social nature of nursing homes, the atmosphere, decoration, and style of a home can be incredibly important to the residents. Take your loved one on a tour of a potential home to see if they vibe with the atmosphere. After you move them in, helping them decorate their room can help you keep them feeling comfortable and “at home”. Be sure to inquire about rules regarding personalizing your loved one’s space.
Visiting Rules
The pandemic highlighted that finding a home that has flexible, reasonable visiting hours and rules can be an obstacle. Be sure to check the visiting rules so that you know you can be there for your loved one during this time of transition. Knowing that you can come to enjoy time with them on a regular basis will help ease their anxiety. Visiting rules can vary greatly for different facilities, so be sure to compare them between each home you’re considering.
Outdoor Access
Getting outdoors is crucial for many elderly people, and your loved one is likely to enjoy the sunshine every once in a while. Many quality nursing homes have beautiful, curated outdoor spaces for residents. These spaces allow patients to enjoy walks, bird watching, or participate in outdoor activities. Secure outdoor areas ensure your loved one can safely enjoy outdoor activities.
Reputation
The reputation of a potential nursing home choice should factor into your ultimate decision. It is important to know what people think of the facility. Knowing what current, and past, residents think of the home is key. Understanding what the families of residents think about the quality of care can go a long way toward helping you make your decision. Knowing whether the home has had any legal troubles or scandals is also crucial. Be sure to check online reviews and chat with those familiar with the facility.
Peace with Your Decision
Choosing a nursing home for your loved one can be difficult. It is possible to choose a quality facility. Knowing what to look for can go a long way toward helping you make a well informed choice. Knowing a loved one is receiving the care they need can help you be at peace with your decision.
