Helping a loved one find a quality nursing home is challenging. Even if you feel it is in the best interest of your family member, you probably have concerns about the quality of the care provided by local facilities.
While most nursing homes and assisted living facilities to go above and beyond when providing care, you must still perform due diligence to make the right selection. Accordingly, U.S. News & World Report cautions people to look out for the following nursing home red flags.
Late morning start times
Residents in nursing homes are best served by an early start to their day. When residents linger in their beds until the afternoon or later, it signals that staff is not equipped to get patients up and ready at a reasonable time. Spending too long in bed can also exacerbate health issues.
Numerous complaints and citations
State regulatory boards evaluate all nursing homes and issue a report of their findings. Request a copy of this report, as well as copies of any complaints the home has received. Numerous complaints indicate that residents do not receive the best care possible.
High turnover rate
Overworked staff is more likely to move on to another job, which leads to a high turnover rate within facilities. Ask the administrator how long the current staff has worked at the home and if they must hire new employees on a regular basis.
Delayed responses to residents
In addition to contacting prospective homes, you should also visit them to gauge the treatment of residents. If you notice that there is a delayed response to requests for help, take it as a bad sign. Delays mean that staff is not equipped to handle the needs of all residents, which can result in major injuries and other issues.
Quality care is a must for a healthy, happy life. The right home will meet your loved one’s mental and physical needs, while also ensuring any medical issues receive the proper treatment and therapy.
