Putting a loved one into a nursing home can be a difficult decision, but you’ll feel a lot better about it if you know more about the facility you’re choosing. You want one that’s safe, will provide your loved one with good quality care and treat them fairly. To find those things, it is necessary to spend some time looking. There are a few specific things you want to consider when you visit facilities.
How is the Food?
The food doesn’t have to be gourmet cuisine, but it should smell and taste good. Some nursing homes are much better than others about feeding their residents good food every day. If the food doesn’t taste good to you, or it looks or smells unappealing, there’s a good chance your loved one won’t like it very much either. You can avoid a lot of that problem by checking out the food beforehand and choosing a facility where the food is prepared in a way your loved one will like.
What Does the Facility Look and Smell Like?
You can’t always avoid the look and smell that generally accompanies a nursing home, but some facilities are better than others. You want a place that feels as much like home as possible and one that doesn’t smell like a medical facility. It should smell clean and sanitary without being overpoweringly chemical. That can make it much more pleasant for your loved one.
How Does the Staff Treat Each Other?
If the staff treats one another poorly, the chances are high that they will treat your loved one poorly, too. That treatment is often the most important aspect of deciding what facility your loved one should be in, so watch staff interactions carefully. People shouldn’t be rude to each other, make snide remarks, or otherwise treat one another in a bad way.
Are There Bedsores, Bruises, and Other Injuries?
Accidents and injuries are going to happen in a nursing home, but they should be kept to a minimum. Pay attention to any visible injuries residents may appear to have and make a mental note of what you see. Unexplained bedsores or a lot of patients with bruises could indicate carelessness or even abuse on the part of the staff. Nursing homes like that should be avoided.
While visiting potential nursing homes before making a choice is a good idea, even after doing do, it is still possible your loved one could be a victim of abuse or neglect in the facility selected. Should that occur contacting an attorney to determine whether legal action is possible, may make sense.
