Five More Things to Consider When Selecting a Nursing Home

Placing a loved one in a nursing requires is a major event and you want to make sure you find the one that best fits the needs of your loved one. It’s important to visit and inspect the home so you can verify that it’s going to be able to provide the kind of care you are looking for. Here are five more things to consider while inspecting.

1) Reception. What kind of reception do you get when you enter? Is the staff readily available to greet you with a welcome smile? Or does the receptionist seem harried not interested in helping? You want a place that seems warm, helpful and friendly.

2) Payment Plans. What kind of financing will be necessary? Does the facility accept Medicare, Medicaid or Veterans coverage? financial approval? Be prepared to discuss the type and duration of care necessary, and the means to fund them.

3) Length of Stay. Based upon the type of care needed will determine the length of stay, which will also determine the costs. Most nursing homes won’t lower their rates, but sometimes there is room to negotiate when it comes to “long-term care” costs.

4) Patients. Pay attention to the appearance and behavior of the other patients. Do they look clean, with a nice appearance, hair cut and dressed appropriately? How do they interact with each other? Do they seem content and well attended? If not, that's a sign they are being neglected.

5) Staff. Take note of the staff and how they interact with the patients. Do they seem pleasant, friendly and caring? Do the patients seem to enjoy their company? If the staff is unhappy and harried, their attitude will carry over to their treatment of the ones in their care.

It’s going to take some due diligence to find the perfect place for your loved one, but once you do, you will be comfortable knowing that your loved one is in good hands.