Choosing a Home

Here are a few factors that should be evaluated:

• Does the facility have a history of meeting federal and state regulations?
• Does the facility have a history of federal and state violations?
• Is the nursing home and the current administrator licensed?
• Does the home conduct background checks on all staff?
• Does the home have special services units?
• Does the facility have nursing home neglect/abuse prevention training?

As with any important decision, by doing your homework you can help put your mind at ease with your final decision.

Some other useful tips in evaluating whether the facility has a history of nursing home neglect/abuse prevention include:

• The nursing home and its administrator should be licensed by the State to operate.
• Do the nursing home’s procedures to screen potential employees for a history of abuse meet your State’s requirements?
• Some nursing homes have special service units like rehabilitation, Alzheimer's, and hospice. Learn if there are separate waiting periods or facility guidelines for when residents would be moved on or off the special unit.
• Do the nursing home’s training programs educate employees about how to recognize resident abuse and neglect, how to deal with aggressive or difficult residents, and how to deal with the stress of caring for so many needs? Are there clear procedures to identify events or trends that might lead to abuse and neglect, and on how to investigate, report, and resolve your complaints?
• Are there policies or procedures to safeguard resident possessions and money?

Other things to notice while visiting the potential nursing home facility is:

• How do other nursing home residents appear to get along with the staff?
• Does the staff know the individual names of different nursing home residents?
• Do the staff members appear responsive to the needs of the nursing home residents?
• Are the nursing home residents properly dressed?
• Are there different activities for the nursing home residents that incorporate different interests?
• How is the quality and assortment of food?
• Does the nursing home incorporate the community into their facility?
• Does the staff actively participate in recognizing the nursing home resident’s interests?
• Does the nursing home facility allow family participation in the resident’s care plan?
• Does the nursing home facility have specific programs or units to fit the special needs that the resident may need?
• Is the nursing home facility clean and orderly?
• Are there any strange odors present in the nursing home?
• Are the nursing home residents allowed to have personal items, like pictures, in their possession?

There are federal laws that require certain information to be provided to each resident. This includes a personalized health and care plan, conducting an initial assessment of each resident’s functional capacity and continue to reassess them, maintaining a resident’s basic rights, and preventing and treating bed sores. If nursing home abuse is present immediate investigation of the matter should be launched. If you have any questions regarding safety concerns and nursing home prevention at a facility please contact us.