Making the tough decision to place your elderly loved one under the care of a nursing home is hard enough, let alone finding one that you can trust. In recent years nursing home abuse and neglect has risen in the United States, asking us to beg the question as to whether or not our loved ones are being properly cared for. While there are many facilities that do provide excellent care for seniors, unfortunately this population of people also gets taken advantage of more often than many people realize. As we’ve discussed in recent weeks, the safety of nursing home residents is a top concern right now, especially because sexual abuse in nursing homes is on the rise.
With this in mind, how exactly do you go about selecting a good nursing home for your loved one? To help you find the right caregiver and facility for your elderly parents or other relatives, we thought it would be beneficial to go over some tips for choosing a good nursing home. It is imperative that you walk into each and every nursing home with a keen eye and a list of questions ready to ask. While many nursing homes and caregivers may appear like a good fit when you walk in, it is important to dig deeper and make sure your loved one will be cared for as if they were family. Every single resident in a nursing home deserves an advocate, whether that be a family member, friend, or trusted caregiver.
When looking for a Dallas nursing home for your elderly loved one, please take the following factors into consideration:
- Always Ask Questions – and a lot of them! Here are a few suggestions:
- Is the assisted living facility Medicare certified?
- Is the facility accepting new patients?
- How many beds are available?
- Does the nursing home offer any specialized services, such as memory care?
- Is the staff all properly trained and licensed?
- Are background checks conducted on employees?
- Have there been any complaints about the nursing home?
- What steps does the facility take to monitor for abuse or neglect?
- Do residents have a say in their daily routine?
- What are the visiting hours?
- Does the facility have a special Alzheimer’s or dementia unit?
- Are residents permitted to bring personal belongings and furniture?
- Is there an outdoor area for recreation and relaxation?
- Can I take a tour of the facility, including all common areas and rooms?
- What are the menu options?
- What is staffing like during the night and weekend?
- Are there doctors and nurse on staff to help with any emergency medical problems?
- What is the arrangement with local hospitals for care?
- Are there handrails and grab bars throughout the nursing home?
- What is Your First Impression? Do you see residents hanging around? Do they seem happy? How were you greeted by the staff? What does the nursing home smell like? How is the decor? Furniture?
- Ask to Be Shown Around – One of the best things you can do when checking out a nursing home for your loved one is getting a firsthand look at the space. If the staff is unwilling to show you around or steers you away from certain areas, a red flag should be raised. They should have nothing to hide!
We hope you now have a better idea of what you should look for and how to choose the right nursing home for your elderly loved one. If you discover your parent or other senior is the victim of abuse or neglect, please contact our Dallas nursing home attorneys today so we can get started on your case.