What To Look For When Choosing A Nursing Home For Your Loved One

Finding a nursing home for an elderly relative is a difficult decision. You initially decide to do so because your loved one has medical and care needs that cannot be provided without the assistance of a professional. When choosing which facility is the best choice, you want to find a place that will meet those needs.Sadly, families who are in search of a nursing home for an elderly loved one must consider the reality of nursing home abuse and neglect. Nursing home abuse and neglect is an unfortunate reality, but one that it is important to be aware of.Evaluating the needs of your family member before beginning your search process can help guide you toward a nursing home that will provide quality care.

Think About Why Your Loved One Needs Professional Care

To begin your search for the perfect nursing home, it is important to think about why you are looking in the first place. Is it a medical reason? Does your family member need help with their daily activities? Establishing a concrete idea of why you are looking for a nursing home will help you develop a list of what to look for.

Consider these questions during the initial stage of nursing home evaluation:

Is the facility experienced in helping patients with the same medical conditions your loved one has?
Will you easily be able to visit your family member? Will they be able to socialize with others in the facility?
Does your loved one have mobility restrictions the nursing home can address?
Does the nursing home offer any additional amenities you’re interested in?

Evaluating Your Final List

Once you complete the initial review process, you can narrow your options down to a few facilities that meet your baseline criteria. To get a true picture of a nursing home’s operations, an in-person visit is essential. If your loved one is able, bring them along to ensure they are comfortable with the facility. Speak with staff and ask any questions you have.

In addition to your in-person visit, you should do research to see what others think of the facility — search for the nursing home online, read reviews, and speak to your friends and neighbors. By gathering outside perspectives, you can learn more about your selected facilities, or more about the general selection process.

At Brown & Barron, LLC, we represent the victims of nursing home abuse and neglect. If you have a case, or questions about choosing a nursing home, contact us for a free consultation.

We are available 24/7 via phone at (410) 698-1717, or you can schedule an appointment to speak through our contact form.