Good Nursing Homes and How to Find One

Going to a nursing home is the last thing most people want to do.
Studies have shown most people prefer to stay in their own homes,
followed by going to live in the home of a relative. Sometimes,
however, those choices are no longer practical options. Entering a
nursing facility can be a positive experience, but that depends
largely on the quality of the facility you choose.What factors
indicate a quality nursing home, and how can you find one? This
question is hugely important to both frail elderly loved ones and
their families and friends. It makes a difference in the health and
happiness of their daily lives. There are several factors that
influence quality in a nursing home, the first of which is the
staffing.Nursing homes are staffed with both professional nurses and
caregivers, all day, every day. The professional nurses are
responsible for medication administration and health assessment and
coordination, among other duties. Caregivers, or Certified Nursing
Assistants, provide most of the direct care to the residents. Two of
the critical staffing issues are the staffing ratio of staff members
to residents, and the turnover rate of the staff in the facility.The
staffing ratio means the average number of nursing hours each resident
receives. An independent resident advocacy group recommends facility
staffing at 4.04 nursing hours. Lower staffing levels result in a
decrease in resident care. Many nursing homes staff at much lower
levels. Staffing ratios of 3.2 of lower are not uncommon. At this
level of staffing, one caregiver would be taking care of eight to
twelve residents during her shift. Whether or not this level of
staffing is adequate depends on the amount of care each of the
assigned residents needs.Related to staffing levels are the facility
turnover rates. Turnover rates indicate how often nursing homes have
to replace staff that quit. Many facilities have turnover rates that
exceed 100%. The rate that care staff have to be replaced impacts
resident care, as the residents must continually get used to different
caregivers.Cleanliness is another important quality to evaluate. This
is different from the decor. Is the floor polished and the carpet free
of stains? Are there unpleasant odors? The level of cleanliness
indicates the pride the facility takes in itself and the respect it
has for its residents.The dietary department has a huge impact on
quality of life for the residents. For many people, meals are the
highlight of the day. The meals should be appetizing, nutritious, and
built around resident preferences.The activities department helps
nursing home residents find stimulation, social interaction, and
enjoyment. The activities should be diverse and planned for residents
with varying functional ability. Special programs that bring the
community into the nursing home and the residents into the community
should happen frequently. Family and friends should be encouraged to
visit, and visiting times shouldn't be limited.How can you evaluate a
particular nursing home to see if it meets these standards? The best,
most objective resource in medicare.gov nursing home compare. This is
where survey results are posted on the web. You can compare facilities
side to side in such measures as overall quality, staffing, quality
indicators, and more.After narrowing down the choices, visit each
nursing home you're considering several times. Visit at different
times of the day and different days of the week, especially on
weekends. Look at the latest survey report, which must be posted in an
easily accessible location. The information on the website can be
outdated, but the posted survey will be the most recent one
conducted.Notice how the staff interact with the residents, how many
staff members are working, and the emotional atmosphere. Can you see
your loved one living there? Culture change is the idea of care being
centered around the resident and their preferences. Is the facility an
adherent of a resident centered culture, or must the resident fit into
the routine of the facility? Many nursing homes still function around
a medical model of care. An awareness of the factors that contribute
to a quality nursing home will help you make a decision you and your
loved one can live with.