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According to the National Institute on Aging, when choosing a nursing home, consider:
- Consider the services important to you and search for facilities that offer them.
- Talk to friends, family members, neighbors, and even health care providers about nursing homes in your area that they recommend.
- Call nursing homes that provide the services you’re seeking and find out about whether they have waiting lists and how much they charge for their services.
- Visit the facilities that are in contention for your business. Be sure to look for handicap access, Medicare/Medicaid certification. Ensure that residents appear well cared for and that they are engaged in warm and friendly interaction with staff.
- Ask questions. It is not out of line to inquire as to a bad odor in the facility or to ask how long the managers of the facility’s various departments have worked at the nursing home or what the staff turnover rate is.
- Visit the facility again. This time, don’t call ahead. This allows you to see how the facility operates under normal conditions when they’re not expecting to give a tour.
- Carefully read your contract before signing it. If you have any questions, be sure that you obtain answers from the nursing home director.