A Consumer's Guide to Nursing Facilities
Assessing Your Needs
If you believe a long term care setting may be needed, it is best to begin planning well in advance. Try to involve the prospective resident in the planning process as much as you can. If the individual has questions regarding care that you are not able to answer, be sure to ask the facility's staff. Remember, experienced, professional caregivers understand both the concerns of the resident and those of the family and are eager to help make the transition as calm and positive as possible.
Finding A Nursing Facility
After you and your physician discuss the type of services needed, obtain the names of facilities in your area. Other resources for information about nursing facilities include:
- Discharge planner (hospital)
- Social workers
- Geriatric case manager
- State affiliate of the American Health Care Association*
- Local medical society
- State or local Office on Aging
- State long term care ombudsman program or health department
- The Medicare web site**
- Minister, priest, rabbi, or other spiritual advisers in your community
- Friends or neighbors who have had direct experiences with local nursing facilities
- Individual Facilities' Internet sites
By telephoning the facilities on your list, you will be able to narrow the field to two or three offering the specific services and location you desire. Talk with administrative personnel and make an appointment to tour the facility. Try to visit each facility at several different times of the day; this will give you a better sense of the facility. Be sure to ask questions about what you are seeing, hearing, or feeling about the facility. *A list of State Affiliates of the American Health Care Association is available on the Online at: http://www.ahca.org/who/pubstate.htm
**CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) is the federal agency that administers the Medicare and Medicaid programs. More information is available on the Internet at: http://www.cms.gov/
Services and Ambience
When you visit a nursing facility, you will see a variety of staff specialists. The numbers and specialties of staff reflect the specific needs of the facility's residents. Caregivers are available around the clock and licensed nurses with the help of certified nursing assistants provide 24-hour care.
Resident social activities are provided in all facilities. Ask what types of group activities are offered and how individual residents' needs and preferences are identified. Residents should have the opportunity to be involved in activities that provide mental, physical, and social stimulation. Some innovative examples include:
- Using computers and e-mail to help residents keep in touch with their families and loved ones. Some facilities offer computer classes to residents to learn how to surf the Web and sharpen their skills.
- Mentoring programs provide an opportunity for residents to interact with children from the local community. Art classes, music recitals and other activities also allow residents to interact with their fellow residents and the community in which the facility is located.
Take some time to talk with the residents. Ask them about their life in the facility. Also, try to plan a visit to the facility during mealtimes so you can observe food presentation and interaction in the dining room. Each facility has a registered dietitian who can talk to you about special dietary needs.
Other specialists who may be on staff or available on a consultant basis include physical therapists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, psychiatric personnel, social workers, pharmacists, podiatrists, and dentists.
The overall management of the facility is the responsibility of the administrator. Other administrative personnel include medical records staff, personnel director, admissions director, and financial staff. Building maintenance, laundry, and housekeeping personnel are also on staff.
During your visit, talk to the caregivers; many of these talented professionals are registered or licensed practical nurses and certified nursing assistants who have devoted their careers to caring for the elderly and the disabled. People providing services to people is what long term care is all about.
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