13 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Nursing Home

The senior care industry is a mostly unregulated one. So before deciding on a nursing home for your aging loved one, we recommend working through the following questions. We’ve compiled 13 non-negotiable questions to ask before making a move.

The time may come that you or an aging loved one needs to make the transition to a nursing home. If this is already the case, we’ve compiled the following 13 must-ask questions to consider before you make your final decision.

When the shoe is on the other foot

Before we get into these questions, let’s start with a simple role reversal exercise to place you in the shoes of an elder that needs to move to a nursing home. After that, we will break down the questions you need to consider before deciding on a nursing home that suits your loved one’s need. For instance, imagine you are 85 and the following is your reality:

“I just had a stroke and as a result, I am now incapable of getting in and out of the shower. Dressing myself is no longer an option, neither is going to the bathroom without assistance. Ultimately, I’ve been told by family that I need to move to a nursing home permanently. But where do I start? More importantly, where does my family start?”

It’s difficult to imagine, right? For most of us, this type of role reversal is uncomfortable since we’re programmed to focus on forging ahead. Breaking new ground. Accomplishing things. As a result, we grow both physically and mentally as we mature. These are all key traits that celebrate our resilience as humans. The unjust reality, however, is that this trajectory is only viable until we reach a certain age. For some, this ‘decline’ comes sooner than for others and we ultimately have very little, if any control over how we age.

There are many horror stories of substandard nursing homes out there. As a result, nursing homes tend to invoke a special kind of fear in some. To many, it signifies a complete loss of freedom and autonomy. To others, nursing homes offer a safe haven that enables them to live a dignified existence with proper care. No matter which side of the fence you are on, nursing homes offer a very necessary service to seniors in need. Even though we can’t control how we age, we can control how we choose to spend our final years and prepare accordingly.

Which questions should I ask before I decide?

Below, 13 questions to carefully consider before you decide on the right nursing home for your senior:

Question 1: Is this Nursing Home Credible?

Has this facility been certified by Medicare and Medicaid? If so, for how long? Could you find online reviews of this nursing home? What do others say about this particular facility?

Question 2: Is Speciality Care available at this Nursing Home?

Are there dementia or Alzheimer’s units available to patients with special needs? If so, are dementia or Alzheimer’s unit/s separate from the rest of the nursing home for added safety of patients?

Question 3: Where is this Nursing Home Located?

Is the facility situated in a convenient location for the family to visit regularly? Are there supporting facilities in the nearby area such as hospitals or physician’s offices?

Question 4: What is the Current State of the Nursing Home?

Are the premises well maintained, clean and secure? Do you notice any special bathing facilities that are available? What other special amenities do they cater for? Can you easily navigate the facility and is it well-lit for safety purposes? Are there natural elements such as enclosed gardens, or safe walkways for patients to enjoy regularly?

Question 5: What is Your Impression of the Staff at this Nursing Home?

Do you know what the staff-to-patient ratio is at the facility? Can you find out what kind of training the staff receives? What is the current vetting process to appoint staff? Does the staff seem friendly, helpful, and attentive? Are regular drug screenings performed?

Question 6: How is the Wellbeing of Patients Catered to at this Nursing Home?

What does the facility do to boost the mental and physical well-being of patients on a regular basis? Are events or activities varied, regular, and safe? Do patients have access to pets or plants on a regular basis? Are there initiatives to ensure socialization with the outside world, ex. Church services, community events, etc.?

Question 7: What do the Living Quarters Look Like?

Do patients have to share a room and bathroom? How many patients have to share a room? Can patients choose a roommate/s and rooms? What happens if a patient is not satisfied with their roommate or room? Are residents allowed to bring their own decor and furniture?

Question 8: What about Patient Care Plans?

How detailed are individual care plans for patients? Similarly, how often do these get reviewed and amended? What is the protocol for handling issues or disputes with a care plan? Any resident of a nursing home needs to be under the care of a licensed physician who prescribes a medical care program. A medical care program often includes dietary restraints, medication, and therapy. How well are these medical care plans incorporated with the individual care plan?

Question 9: Does this Nursing Home Make use of Preferred Physician/s?

Is there a preferred physician/s used by the majority of patients at the facility? If so, how often is he/she on the premises? What is his/her reputation among the staff and patients?

Question 9: What Kinds of Meals are on Offer?

Do meals get served in a communal dining room, or do they get brought to each room individually? Are there specific meal times? Can meals be taken into a patient’s room versus dining in the communal area? Do patients generally like the food? Is there variety in weekly menus? How do the facility address special dietary needs? Are there heating facilities that are easily accessible if a meal becomes cold?

Question 10: What are the Admission Requirements for this Nursing Home?

What documentation is required to start the admissions process? How long does this process typically take? Do prospective patients have access to copies of admission documents to ensure they are sufficiently prepared?

Question 11: What are some of the Associated Costs that Come with this Nursing Home?

What are typical inclusions and exclusions in the overall cost of care at the facility? How do ‘added extras’ get billed, and what are examples of added extras? Are there any pointers available to help patients save on costs? What is the cost difference between a private room and a shared room?

Question 13: Which Transportation Services are Available?

What options do patients have in terms of transport to physician’s appointments, grocery shopping, and attending religious services? Does this come at an additional cost to patients?

Conclusion

In conclusion, our inability to place ourselves in the shoes of a senior has nothing to do with our lack of empathy, but rather our inability to face decline, and ultimately, death.

How often have you heard someone say: “I’d like to go peacefully in my sleep, and be free from pain”? Again, we don’t have control over how we age, or in some instances, over how we die.

Therefore it becomes important to have that tough conversation with your spouse, loved one, or aging parent around longer-term senior care. Ultimately, there needs to be no surprises when the day of reckoning arrives.

If you have yet to have the conversation about long-term senior care with your aging parent? Take a look at our blog on Tips for Talking to Your Aging Parent About Long Term Care or get in touch with one of our Certified Placement Experts at NO CHARGE.

*Disclaimer: The information contained in this blog is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his or her immediate family, physician, or other care providers.