How to Choose a Nursing Home for Your Loved One

Putting the care of a loved one in someone else's hands can be difficult. It can also be a relief when you find a facility that fulfills its obligations and responsibilities with a cheerful attitude and a trustworthy staff.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• prospective facilities
• references
• list of what requirements you would like the facility to have
• questions you want answered

1. Consider the needs of your loved one. Do they need one-on-one care, or can they do things on their own? Do they have special needs? Is this for a short term or an extended stay?
2. Create a list of facilities, based on the needs of your loved one. If it's possible, let your loved one be involved with decision.
3. Visit each facility. Talk to the staff. Most importantly, talk to the residents and their families. Visit the facility at two or three different times, mealtime, recreation, etc. The residents love seeing new faces and you can observe different activities.
4. Ask if your loved one can bring some of their own belongings. Can they hang pictures on the walls or have their favorite recliner? Can they decorate as they wish to?
5. Check the facility itself. Is it clean and well maintained? Is the kitchen sanitary? What about the meals? Are they nutritious and appetizing? Can the residents have substitutes?
6. Make checklists. Choose a variety of questions concerning staff, location, doctors, dietary, facility maintenance, and residents' well-being.

Tips & Warnings

• Always questions things you don't understand.
• Be observant.
• Check credentials of companies and staff.
• Take notes and ask lots of questions.
• Don't believe everything you hear. See for yourself.
• If you have doubts, move on to the next facility.