When it comes to finding the right nursing home for your loved one, there are many important factors to consider. Oftentimes, it can be a stressful and overwhelming experience to choose a safe and supportive new home where your loved one can receive the care they need.
How do you evaluate the quality of a nursing home? What should you look for in a medical care setting to ensure your loved one’s needs will be met?
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at 6 ways you can evaluate the quality of medical care in a nursing home.
1. Visit the facility in person
These days, everything is done online. From research to online purchases, many people rely on photos and other information when making online decisions. However, choosing a nursing home is a big decision and should be carefully considered. By visiting a nursing home in person, you will see the facility with your own eyes and be able to thoroughly evaluate the quality. In addition to observing the quality of the facility, you will also be able to talk to medical staff and get a feel for the energy and atmosphere.
2. Check online reviews
Reviews speak volumes and can be a great way to determine the quality of medical care in a nursing home. While you may want to withhold forming any quick judgments about negative reviews, it is important to spend some time thoroughly reading reviews to get a better feel for the quality of care from the patient’s and families’ perspective. You may also consider noting the responsiveness of the nursing homes’ representatives, as that can be an indicator of their level of engagement and focus on quality patient care. If you have questions about any issues mentioned in the reviews, you should bring them to your consultation appointment.
3. Check certifying agency reports
There are various trusted reports that you can access to check the rating and quality of nursing homes. The Five-Star Nursing Home Quality Rating System (also called Nursing Home Quality Measures) allows consumers to compare nursing homes against each other and provides detailed information, including health inspection results, nursing home staff data, quality measures, and fire safety inspection results. These reports are at no cost to you and can be accessed online.
4. Research staffing data
It is important to understand the staffing patterns of a nursing home. Is there a high turnover? What is the patient-staff ratio? What are the specific roles and duties of staff members and what is their level of involvement with patient care? By equipping yourself with all of this information, you will have a clear understanding of the quality of care you can expect for your loved one.
5. Get references
Many nursing homes will be happy to provide you with references for their establishment. References are a great way to glean meaningful insight into the quality of medical care in nursing facilities. By speaking to family members, you can gain peace of mind knowing what to expect for your loved one. Make a list of important questions to ask, and be sure to take good notes for future reference.
6. Learn policies and procedures
Before making a decision, it is important to understand the policies and procedures of nursing homes for the elderly. While some policies are standard across nursing home facilities, there are some exceptions. From emergency plans to visiting policies, knowing the specifics can help you make the best decision for your loved one. Ask to see printed information about general and specific policies and procedures. By having this information in writing, you will have better assurance about expectations.
Finding the right nursing home for your loved one is a big responsibility and requires due diligence. There are many ways to evaluate the quality of medical care in nursing homes, including visiting the facility, checking reviews and agency reports, researching staffing data, getting references, and learning policies and procedures. By taking these steps, you can have peace of mind, knowing you are making the best decision for your loved one.
