Tips for Finding A Nursing Home In Alabama |
Posted: January 16, 2018 |
While most Alabama families don’t want to face a situation in which they need nursing home care for a loved one, nursing homes can provide essential support and services when a loved one requires them most. Finding the right nursing home is a personal process. It requires consideration not only of each home’s respective offerings, but also of your loved one’s specific needs and preferences. While there is no “one size fits all” answer for choosing the right nursing home, the following tips can help guide your decision-making toward the right place for those you love. When choosing a nursing home in Alabama, consider the following factors: 1. Advice or referrals from people you trust may offer your best leads. TheCenters for Medicare and Medicaid Services recommend asking trustworthy people in your life for recommendations. Family members, friends, neighbors, or co-workers who have had experience placing loved ones in nursing home care can often give you advice on which facilities treated their loved ones with care and dignity – and which facilities it might be prudent to avoid. If your loved one’s doctor provides care at any local nursing homes, put these on your list as well. 2. Use nursing home comparison tools. Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare online tool provides information gathered by CMS on every nursing home in the U.S. that accepts Medicare or Medicaid patients. Alabama’s state health department and licensing agencies also maintain information on nursing homes within the state. Examining a nursing home’s history of complaints, if any, and other factors can help you choose among nursing homes that otherwise seem equal in your estimation. 3. What is the food like? Many families don’t even think to look at the menu or meals when they choose a nursing home, but examining how the food looks and tastes may be one of the most valuable things you can do for your loved one, according to theAARP. Lack of appetite due to aging or illness can compound existing medical problems and make life much more uncomfortable for your loved one. If you see any changes in appetite or diet “quirks” – like avoiding the meals but happily eating snacks or food from home – mention them to the staff. 4. How well can you communicate with staff? You have the right to ask staff questions during a nursing home visit, according to CMS. This includes asking staff for explanations when you see or hear something you don’t understand. You may also wish to ask current residents or their families about their experience there; just remember to respect their wishes concerning whether or not they want to talk to you. At the end of your visit, ask for contact information of someone you can call if you have additional questions. 5. Are staff overworked? When speaking to staff, ask them if they work a lot of overtime or double shifts. If they do, take note: It may mean that the facility is understaffed, which means that staff are overworked and stressed. Staff that are stretched too thin are more likely to make mistakes or to miss crucial signs that your loved one needs help, according to the AARP. Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare tool offers information on staff to resident ratios in the nursing homes it covers, and you can also ask the nursing home’s director for information on their staffing ratios. Also, watch how staff interact with one another. If staff are rude or abrupt with each other, they’re more likely to be rude or abrupt to residents – and they may act this way in part because they are overworked and overstressed. Stay alert for how staff spend their time when they’re not engaged in active direct-care tasks. Do they find time to chat with the residents, or do they hole up in the nurses’ station? 6. How do residents spend their time? It’s not unusual for residents to gather near the nurses’ station or the front door, so they can watch people come and go. In fact, it’s often a sign that the residents are encouraged to socialize, according to the AARP. Residents who are segregated in their rooms even when they’re capable of moving about, however, should be a red flag. Similarly, ask for a schedule of activities and transportation. Ideally, the nursing home will have a calendar of daily activities that residents can participate in, with the option of bringing activities to the resident’s room if they are unable to get out of bed. Look for opportunities the nursing home provides for transportation to off-site activities like plays, movies, or social activities as well. 7. How are personal care needs being met? It’s not unusual in a nursing facility to get a whiff of something unpleasant every now and then. Many nursing home residents have significant gastrointestinal, bowel, or bladder trouble, and an accident here or there is inevitable. If the smell is overpowering, however, it may be a sign of a problem. When you visit, look for signs of proper hygiene among the residents you meet. Matted or greasy hair, soiled clothing, or a strong “unwashed” smell indicate that residents aren’t getting the help they need to stay clean, which is a strong sign that staff are overworked. Once you’ve chosen the nursing home you believe will be best for your loved one and settled them into their new room, stay alert during your regular visits. Family members are often the first to notice subtle changes in their loved one’s condition or needs, as well as signs that the facility is not meeting its responsibilities. Paying careful attention can help you protect your loved one and others.
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