What to Look for in a Nursing Home for Your Parent

Time remains undefeated. No matter how much you may wish for it to rewind or stand still, it continues to move forward. Tick. Tick. Tick. And with the progression of time comes the effects of aging. Your parents aren’t immune. 

As your parents age and lose some of the physical strengths and mental capacities that they once possessed, you reach a critical crossroads where you must work together to determine their care, safety, and well-being. In many cases, a nursing home or assisted-care facility is the best option.

5 Factors Worth Considering

There are thousands of nursing home facilities around the country. Many of them come highly recommended, while others are known for providing low-quality care. Then there’s the majority – which fall anywhere and everywhere on the spectrum in between.

As you search for a nursing home facility for your parent, it’s important that you weigh a variety of factors in the decision-making process – including:

• Services

Begin by thinking about the services that are offered. Your parent may have very specific needs and you must ensure any facility they consider can properly care for them in a way that’s beneficial to their physical health and emotional well-being.

It’s also important to look toward the future. If, for example, your parent is currently in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, you need to be prepared for what will happen in three to five years. Can the facility still handle their needs?

• Location

Location is very important. You want to choose a nursing home that’s close enough for friends and family to visit. This lowers the likelihood of isolation and depression, while it also keeps you engaged and aware of what’s happening on a regular basis. (It’s much easier to know if something is wrong by visiting in person, as opposed to talking over the phone.)

• Staffing

“The staff members at a nursing home are going to be the ones ensuring your loved one’s safety and their attitude, expertise, and professionalism is extremely important,” Aging.com mentions, “You should always ask plenty of questions and spend some time observing the staff before making a decision.”

In regards to staffing, you’ll want to consider things like:

• What is the ratio of staff to residents? Does it fall within an acceptable range?
• Is the staff required to participate in regular training programs and/or continuing education to maintain employment at the nursing home?
• Is there a licensed nurse at the facility at all hours of the day?
• Is there a lot of staff turnover? Or does the staff remain pretty steady over the months and years?

You’d be surprised how much you can find out by simply asking questions and observing behaviors. There’s a lot to learn, and you’ll be better equipped to make smart decisions if you’re proactive in your questioning.

• Red Flags

Nursing homes are charged with caring for residents in a professional, respectful, and humane manner. Unfortunately, not all nursing homes follow through on this charge. Cases of abuse and neglect are rampant, and you need to be on the lookout for red flags that signal something is wrong.

Be on the lookout for red flags that indicate abuse or neglect. Elder abuse takes on many different types, Physical abuse is the most obvious, but it can still be difficult to spot. Cases of bedsores are common in nursing home abuse cases and aren’t always readily apparent. Other types, like emotional and sexual abuse, are even less obvious. 

Always read reviews and make sure nursing homes have the proper accreditation. If you have a gut feeling that something is off, trust your instinct (and make sure to bring up these concerns with someone in authority).

• Cost

Finally, you have to consider the most practical element of all: cost. Do you – or your parent – have the financial means to cover the cost of the facility? Does Medicaid cover part of the cost? Will you still be able to afford the cost in three to five years? These are all questions and concerns that will need to be worked through.

Be Patient, Yet Proactive

At the end of the day, this might not be your decision to make. If your parents are still mentally capable of making their own choices, it’s their call. But regardless, you need to make sure your voice is heard. There will come a time when you need to make decisions for your parents and it’s much easier if they know you have their best interests in mind.